9/20/17 Game Preview: New York Mets at Miami Marlins

It was a rough homecoming for A.J. Ramos last night. Ramos, who was making his first appearance against the Miami Marlins (71-80) since being traded to the New York Mets (65-86) in July, blew a save as the Mets lost in 10 innings. The Mets have now dropped the first two games of this series and will look to avoid being swept as the two teams conclude their season series this afternoon. First pitch for the series finale is scheduled for 1:10 pm at Marlins Park.

The Mets will send right hander Rafael Montero (5-10, 5.08 ERA) to the mound today. Montero struggled in his last start, giving up three runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings to lose to the Atlanta Braves last Friday. The Marlins will counter with right hander Jose Urena (13-6, 3.62 ERA). Urena didn’t get deep in his last outing either, giving up two runs in 4.2 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday and didn’t factor in the decision. The Marlins ended up losing the game 10-2.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. CF Nori Aoki
2. SS Jose Reyes
3. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
4. 1B Dominic Smith
5. C Kevin Plawecki
6. LF Brandon Nimmo
7. 2B Phillip Evans
8. RF Travis Taijeron
9. SP Rafael Montero

Pre-Game Notes:

• Montero is 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA in six appearances (two starts) against the Marlins this season.
• Urena is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against the Mets this season.
• Amed Rosario (stomach) is out of the lineup for a third straight game. Jose Reyes will start at shortstop and bat second.
• Kevin Plawecki, who has turned into the personal catcher for Montero, is back behind the plate today and batting fifth.
• Juan Lagares is out of the lineup with soreness in his thumb. Nori Aoki will slide over to center field and bat leadoff while Travis Taijeron starts in right field and bats eighth.
• This is the final game of the Mets’ nine game road trip. They are 2-6 so far on the trip, with both wins coming in Atlanta last weekend.
• This will be the final meeting of the season between the Mets and Marlins. The Marlins have already won the season series, holding an 11-7 edge entering today’s game.