Mets Pitching Matchups vs Marlins (8/29-8/31)

Friday, August 29 Dolphin Stadium | 7:10 PM ET Oliver Perez, LHP (9-7, 4.00)
Mets (74-60) @ Chris Volstad, RHP (4-3, 3.42)
Marlins (68-65)
Scouting Report:

Mets: John Maine will miss his scheduled start Friday after being placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a bone spur in his right shoulder. A day off Thursday gives the Mets options and manager Jerry Manuel said it will allow them to go without a fifth starter until Sept. 2. Perez will likely start in Maine's spot Friday, going on regular rest. Against the Astros on Sunday, Perez allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings. He flashed his mid-90s fastball with eight strikeouts. Perez held the Marlins scoreless through seven innings in his previous start against Florida on Aug. 8.

Marlins: The 21-year-old will have a big test in the series opener with New York. Volstad deserved a better fate in his last start, a loss at Arizona. In 5 1/3 innings, he allowed four runs, but with a break from his defense, he probably could have escaped with just two runs allowed. Volstad has logged 50 innings in his rookie career, with just two home runs allowed. In nine MLB appearances, and eight starts, Volstad has struck out 32 and walked 23. He's given up 48 total hits.
Saturday, August 30 Dolphin Stadium | 7:10 PM ET Mike Pelfrey, RHP (13-8, 3.70)
Mets (74-60) @ Ricky Nolasco, RHP (13-7, 3.62)
Marlins (68-65)
Scouting Report:

Mets: Pelfrey continued his recent dominance with his second straight complete-game performance on Monday night. He came within two outs of a shutout before the Astros scored their first run of the night. Pelfrey scattered six hits and struck out six without recording a walk. A few weeks earlier, manager Jerry Manuel had expressed interest in giving Pelfrey some extra rest because of the high number of innings he has piled up, but the young pitcher has been economical with his pitches, holding his pitch count total to just 108 through his nine innings Monday. The Marlins have been Pelfrey's one weak spot this season. He is 0-3 with a 10.66 ERA against the Fish.

Marlins: On a roll, Nolasco returns home after two dominating performances out West. The 25-year-old followed up his two-hit shutout in San Francisco by limiting the D-backs to three hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings at Chase Field. In those two games, Nolasco combined to strike out 21 and walk two, while allowing five hits and two runs in 16 1/3 innings. With 13 wins, Nolasco has established a career high in victories, and he's won three of his past four decisions. However, he's dropped three decisions this season to Atlanta.
Sunday, August 31 Dolphin Stadium | 1:10 PM ET Pedro Martinez, RHP (4-3, 5.22)
Mets (74-60) @ Scott Olsen, LHP (6-8, 4.19)
Marlins (68-65)
Scouting Report:

Mets: Martinez gave up one run through the first four innings on Tuesday, holding the Mets at bay as the Mets surged past the Phillies. Then, the fifth inning ruined the veteran's night, upping his total earned runs allowed to six through five innings. He escaped with a no decision, eight strikeouts and two walks surrendered, and, while the Mets lead when he left the game, two home run balls in that final inning cost Martinez's line. Martinez also pushed his arm with 110 pitches, and 69 of those were strikes. Next are the Marlins, who he faced April 1, allowing four runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Marlins: In his last start, against the Braves on Tuesday, Olsen had a rough first inning but rolled the rest of the way in his 5 1/3-inning outing, which resulted in a no-decision after Atlanta pulled off a four-run ninth inning in a walk-off win. In the first inning, Olsen gave up three quick runs, and that eventually led him to a high pitch count, which resulted in his ninth outing of less than six innings. Olsen finished off having allowed four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. He left after throwing 103 pitches and got his 13th no-decision of the year despite leaving with a 6-4 lead.