Marlins at Mets
The New York Mets find themselves in prime position to make up for their recent poor play by taking advantage of five straight series against opponents with losing records. The Mets made a statement in the first of those contests by breaking out offensively in Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, putting themselves in position to win their first series in five tries when they continue their three-game home set on Saturday.
Averaging a mere 2.6 runs while losing 10 of their last 14 games entering Friday, the Mets needed less than one inning to blow right past that mark, putting together an eight-run opening frame en route to a 11-2 victory. Amed Rosario delivered a grand slam while Michael Conforto homered as part of a 3-for-3 effort to lead a season-best 15-hit attack as New York - which entered Friday ranked last in the National League this month in team batting average (.193) and runs (16) - tied a season high in the latter category. Miami fell for the 11th time in 13 games and has scored fewer than three runs in seven of its last eight contests. The Marlins are 0-4 against the Mets in 2019.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (1-3, 4.93 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (2-4, 3.60)
Alcantara was fortunate to come away with a no-decision against the Cubs in Chicago on Monday after allowing three runs on four hits and six walks in five innings. The 23-year-old Dominican has not registered a quality start since a dominant season debut on March 31, going 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA over his last six outings. Todd Frazier (2-for-7) and Jeff McNeil (2-for-3) are the only Mets regulars who have enjoyed much success against Alcantara, who is 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three career starts versus New York.
After enduring a rough stretch over his last three starts in April, deGrom seemingly has recaptured the form that led to him winning the National League Cy Young Award last season. The Stetson product blanked Cincinnati over seven innings on May 1 before taking a hard-luck loss in San Diego on Monday, when he yielded two runs in seven frames. The 30-year-old homered and registered a career-high 14 strikeouts over seven innings en route to winning in Miami on April 3.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets starting pitchers have posted a 2.76 ERA over the team's last 10 games.
2. Miami 1B Neil Walker went 2-for-5 against one of his former teams on Friday and is batting .378 on the road this season (.212 at home).
3. New York 2B Robinson Cano is 6-for-13 over his last three games after going hitless in 14 at-bats over the previous four contests.