The hard hitting Mets got to the Marlins’ seemingly invincible ace Alcantara in Game One of their series, then shut the Marlins out in Game Two. Third time’s a charm! The Mets are tops in offense over the last week with a .907 OPS; the Marlins are 27th, struggling to an OPS of .634. The injury-riddled Marlins have struggled against the Mets lately winning just 1 of 4 games. Their usually very good pitching staff has put up a 5.71 ERA in the past 7 games, with short appearances from the starters putting pressure on the bullpen. Lopez, today’s starter, was very sharp in his last outing with a 7 inning 1 run effort, but that was the first time he pitched past the 5th in 4 games.

He faces a very good right hander in Walker today, 4-0 in 7 starts, with an ERA of 2.20. He shut out the Marlins over 7 innings just a few starts ago allowing just 3 hits.

The Mets have had some success vs Lopez. They roughed him up in June, but lost against him in July. I am on the side of the Mets today. They have won 5 straight, have an equally fine starter on the mound and have far more fire-power. Take the Mets to win.