Mets Expect Jason Bay Back For Double Dip Against Marlins
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- The Mets and Marlins have had two days off before their scheduled doubleheader Monday at Citi Field - and that may help the Amazin's.
New York (62-68) had the final two games of its weekend series with Atlanta postponed due to the bad weather associated with Hurricane Irene. That was the same reason Florida (59-72) had the final two contests of its series in Philadelphia postponed.
Jason Bay will return to action as New York tries to end its six-game home losing streak against the Marlins. Jose Reyes will not be in the lineup for the early game.
The superstar shortstop has been out since Aug. 7 with a strained left hamstring.
Reyes completed a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Saturday. He went 3 for 9 with a homer in three games.
"I wanted the opportunity to make some plays on the field and today they hit me ground balls and I was moving with no problem," Reyes told the Mets' official website. "They hit me a fly ball, too, and I had to go to my back, but no problem. Everything's good right now. I just want to go to New York and see what's going on."
Reyes is still among the major league leaders with 50 multihit games. He's batting .341 during an eight-game hitting streak against Florida.
Bay has not played since Wednesday after jamming his shoulder the night before in a loss against the Phillies. He believes he will be OK to return.
"The luxury we have of not playing the next two days, which never happens, actually works in my favor," Bay said.
The Marlins have won seven of 10 from the Mets this year, including all four at Citi Field. Their six-game road win streak in the series matches their longest in history.
Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 4.01 ERA) will try to keep that run going in the opener for Florida. The right-hander is 4-4 with a 4.61 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mets.
The Marlins have dropped nine of Sanchez's last 13 outings.
R.A. Dickey (5-11, 3.72) will pitch the first game for New York. He's 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA in five career starts against the Marlins.
The knuckleballer is 0-3 with a 3.62 ERA in his last five outings and 1-8 with a 4.01 ERA in 14 at home.
Right-handers Dillon Gee (11-5, 4.37) and Ricky Nolasco (9-9, 4.30) are scheduled to square off in the nightcap.
Gee has faced Florida once, allowing three runs over five innings and not getting a decision July 24 in a 5-4 loss. He's 5-2 with a 3.54 ERA in nine home starts.
Nolasco is 3-0 with a 4.11 ERA over his last eight starts against New York. He's 1-0 with a 5.01 ERA in four starts at Citi Field, never allowing a homer over 23 1-3 innings.
Will the Mets bounce back with Reyes in the lineup? Sound off below...
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