Mets Set For Important Three Game Series In Miami

The New York Mets (83-73) will open up their final road trip of the season tonight in Miami as they play the Marlins (77-78) in what will be an emotional night at Marlins Park.

Gone Too Soon:

Tonight’s game will be the first game that the Marlins are playing after the sudden death of their ace pitcher, Jose Fernandez. The 2013 National League Rookie of the Year winner and two-time All-Star died in a tragic boating accident early Sunday morning. The Marlins as a result cancelled their afternoon game on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves.

Over the past four seasons, Jose Fernandez was considered one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. Known for an explosive fastball, a disappearing slider, and a little kid’s personality, Fernandez had a career record of 38-17, a 2.58 ERA, and had 589 strikeouts in just 471.1 innings pitched. There is a laundry list of stats that show how dominant of a pitcher he was. One of the most incredible numbers he owns is his 29-2 career record at home with a 1.49 ERA. He was that unhittable at times.

And to add to the already somber tone of Monday night’s game, Fernandez was schedule to pitch against the Mets, the same team he pitched against in his Major League debut.

The Home Stretch:

Despite the different atmosphere of this series, the Mets have a very important three-game series in Miami. The Mets enter this series with sole possession of the first Wild Card spot, a one game lead over the Giants, and a 1.5 game lead over the Cardinals. A lot can happen in the standings in the final six games that the Mets have on their schedule so they cannot let any of them go to waste. In other words, the Mets can’t let the somber mood of the series distract them from winning.

The Probables:

Monday: Bartolo Colon (14-7) vs Adam Conley (8-6) – 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday: Noah Syndergaard (13-9) vs Tom Koehler (9-12) – 7:10 p.m.

Wednesday: Seth Lugo (4-2) vs Andrew Cashner (5-11) – 7:10 p.m.

What to Watch for:

Bartolo Colon just might be the perfect guy in the Mets rotation to pitch on an emotional night like tonight because nothing seems to faze him. But as for all of the other Mets players, it will be interesting to see if they can keep their emotions in check. Especially Yoenis Cespedes, because he is also a native of Cuba like Fernandez.

Noah Syndergaard will also make his first start since last Monday when he gave up five earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched. Syndergaard was supposed to pitch on Saturday against the Phillies but was scratched from his start for strep throat. Syndergaard is feeling better now and has to bounce back after his awful performance against Atlanta.