Marlins vs. Mets: Game 145 Thread

Though the offense has generally continued to scuffle and the pitching looks sub-par at times, the Marlins had been on a nice little run before these last two losses, winning four straight series heading into this match-up with the division leading Mets. The Mets have the division all but wrapped up at 9 1/2 games ahead as I write this (and who would've thought that at the beginning of the season), so the Marlins can't really play spoiler, but it would still warm my heart to see them destroy the Mets all the same. That, and the Fish may as well continue their generally positive upward trending as they are presently out of the race to the bottom, courtesy of the sad Atlanta Braves and atrocious Philadelphia Phillies. Tasting October glory for the Mets is Jacob deGrom, dreaming of contention for next year's Marlins is Tom Koehler.

Pitching Matchup

Jacob deGrom has proven that last season was no fluke, an unfortunate development given the envious depth the Mets starting rotation enjoys. He beat the Nationals in his last start on Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits and striking out nine whilst walking two.

Tom Koehler's last win, a dominant, ten strikeout performance against the Brewers, was his first since July 23rd. Many of the losses inbetween could be placed more on the offense's shoulders than his own...many, but not all. Even if Koehler is more likely to toss six innings than eight, strike out four rather than ten, that kind of production plays in the MLB, and he most certainly figures into next year's rotation plans, despite being in and out of it this season.

Notes:

- Giancarlo Stanton took batting practice with the team pre-game for the first time since June yesterday. The team believes, best case scenario, that he could be back for the weekend series against the Nationals.

Bold Prediction: Mets beat Marlins 4-1.