Pre-game: Miami Marlins (7-9) at Mets (9-8)

Good afternoon and welcome to another day of Mets baseball! Last night New York got an RBI single from Lucas Duda in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 2-1 victory over the Marlins. Watching Johan Santana bounce back from his worst start of the season in such splendid fashion must have made an impression on R.A. Dickey. Tonight, Dickey will attempt to bounce back from his own horrid start as the Mets take on the Marlins once again at Citi Field. First pitch is at 7:10 PM. You can watch it on SNY or listen on WFAN 660.

Mets Lineup
1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
2. Ruben Tejada, SS
3. Daniel Murphy, 2B
4. David Wright, 3B
5. Lucas Duda, RF
6. Scott Hairston, LF
7. Ike Davis, 1B
8. Josh Thole, C
9. R.A. Dickey, RHP

Manager Terry Collins has decided to stick with the slumping Davis against the lefty Buehrle. However, Davis will be batting seventh tonight and if he doesn’t ratchet up his play soon, he could find himself playing only against right-handers in the future. Josh Thole remains in the eight spot despite the fact that he’s reached base in every game he’s played this season.

Miami Marlins Lineup
1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
3. Hanley Ramirez, SS
4. Logan Morrison, LF
5. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
6. Omar Infante, 2B
7. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
8. John Buck, C
9. Mark Buehrle, LHP

In his career against Dickey, Omar Infante is a ridiculous 11 for 22 with a home run, one walk and two strikeouts. Gaby Sanchez is 5 for 15 versus Dickey with three doubles and a home run, while Hanley Ramirez is 6 for 15 with three doubles. However, most of the damage for all three players was done in 2010. Last season, Dickey was quite effective against the fish.

Pitching Match-up
NYM — R.A. Dickey (5.71 ERA, 15 K, 7 BB)
The man and his knuckleball were off to a great start his season before last week’s thrashing at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Dickey surrendered eight runs and three home runs in only 4.1 innings to break his streak of 14 straight quality starts. Despite throwing the world’s most unpredictable pitch, Dickey has been a model of consistency for the Mets, so we expect him to right the ship tonight. Last season against the Marlins, Dickey won all three of his starts while only allowed one run in 20 innings.

MIA — Mark Buehrle (2.66 ERA, 12 K, 2 BB)
As part of Miami’s winter spending spree, Mark Buehrle has not disappointed so far with three straight quality starts to begin the season. In his last outing, the veteran lefty dominated the Cubs with just one run allowed in eight innings. The Mets have never faced Buehrle before because he’s spent his entire career prior to this season with the Chicago White Sox of the American League, but tonight is almost certain to be the first of many meetings. That’s because Buehrle has just signed a four year contract and he’s been a lock for 200-plus innings in every year since 2001. Like Dickey, Buehrle works quickly, so if both pitchers are on their games, this one could go by at a brisk pace.