Mets Begin 4-Game Series Against Pesky Marlins In Miami

MIAMI-- It always seems as if when the Mets and Marlins match up over the last couple of seasons, there's always one Johan Santana-Josh Johnson battle. That battle will happen again today and for the second time this season. These two ace pitchers faced one another on opening day, with Santana getting the better of Johnson.

That was the game in which David Wright hit his only Citi Field home run of the season to date, when he took Johnson to the opposite field. Other than that one at-bat, Wright hasn't faired to well against him, going a career 4-for-20 (.200) with only the one home run.

Santana, who bounced back on Saturday after a career-worst start his previous time out will try and get the series and road trip off to a good start. Conventional wisdom always says, you must take game one of a four-game set if you want to win the series. Reason being, if you lose the first game, you need to win the next three, opposed to only needing two of three if you win the first game.

The Mets have always been the victim of a lot of late rallies and walk-off losses to the Marlins in their park (whatever the name of their park may be).

You'd figure the Mets would be pleased to go 4-4 on this roadtrip. It's hard to win four-game series and it's also hard to win both of a two-game set. The Mets will strangely have 2 two-game sets consecutively following their long series in Miami. They'll go to Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday. Then they'll go to Washington on Wednesday and Thursday. What's even more odd is that the Mets are facing these three intra-divisional teams in their parks all for the first time.

In order to come through against a pitcher like Josh Johnson, who's given the Mets fits over the years, they'll have to get Reyes, Bay, and Wright going. I know, you're sick of me saying that in every game preview, but unfortunately, it's true. There is just no way the Mets are going to win games with their "heart of the order" struggling as mightily as they are.

What the Mets can really use, is for Santana to go very deep in this game. Like eight innings deep. There's just no telling how the Mets' offense will do against Josh Johnson. 

The Marlins meanwhile, have had an extremely inconsistent season. They are currently tied for last place in the NL East with the Atlanta Braves at 16-18.

The Mets actually received positive news on the Carlos Beltran saga. Reports are, he tested his knee and he felt "no pain." The Mets must find a way to stay in the race until they get Beltran back in the middle of the order. In my opinion, it wouldn't make a difference.

Johan Santana vs. Florida (April 5)
Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, 2 BB, 5 SO

Josh Johnson vs. New York (April 5)
Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 5 hits, 4 BB, 3 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Florida)
April 5: New York 7, Florida 1
April 7: Florida 7, New York 6 (10)
April 8: Florida 3, New York 1
Marlins lead series 2-1