MLB weekend preview: Mets face Marlins, Yankees host Giants

The Mets travel to Miami this weekend for a crucial division series with the Marlins, while the Yankees get a look at the MLB-leading San Francisco Giants in a three-game interleague series in the Bronx.

Taking the mound for the Mets on Friday night is Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.21 ERA). Verrett gave up eight hits in his last start in Philadelphia but limited the damage to two runs. He’ll be hoping Giancarlo Stanton doesn’t put on a repeat performance of his last series against the Mets, in which he belted four home runs.

Adam Conley (6-5, 3.61 ERA) answers for Miami. Conley has been particularly effective against Yoenis Cespedes, as the Cuban slugger is 0-for-7 with five strikeouts against him.

Aces take the hill in Saturday’s tilt as Jacob deGrom (6-4, 2.38 ERA) matches up with Jose Fernandez (11-4, 2.53 ERA). deGrom has won his last three starts, including a one-hit shutout in his first start after the All-Star break. Fernandez continues to post gaudy strikeout totals this year while holding his opposition to barely a baserunner per inning (1.01 WHIP). The Mets whiffed 14 times over seven innings in their last encounter with Fernandez on June 5.

Steven Matz (7-6, 3.56 ERA) starts for New York as the series concludes on Sunday. Matz has been in a funk in his last nine starts, going 0-5 while his ERA has climbed 1.20 points. He’s given up at least one home run in his last six starts.

Jose Urena (1-1, 6.23 ERA) responds for the Marlins. His relief efforts this year have been poor but his first start of the year was solid, as he held the Phillies to one run on four hits over 5.2 innings on July 19.

Yankees – Giants

Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 3.15 ERA) goes for the Yankees in the series opener. Tanaka is 4-0 in his last six starts, with the Yankees posting a win each time he took the hill.

His opposite number will be NL Cy Young candidate Madison Bumgarner (10-5, 2.12 ERA). Bumgarner had a 15-inning scoreless streak halted in a 4-1 loss to the Padres on July 15, but still struck out nine. Bumgarner’s fanned 29 batters in his first three starts this month.

Ivan Nova (7-5, 4.92 ERA) gets the call in an afternoon clash with Jeff Samardzija (9-5, 4.05 ERA). Nova will try to build on the success he’s found in July (3.24 ERA). The well-traveled Samardzija has faced most of these Yankee hitters in the past and has found little success. Carlos Beltran has five hits in 16 ABs against “The Shark,” and Chase Headley is 5-for-13.

Nathan Eovaldi (8-6, 4.93 ERA) will be on the mound in the series finale. His first start since rejoining the Yankees rotation was respectable, as he held the Orioles to one run on four hits in 5.1 innings (82 pitches).

NL All-Star Johnny Cueto (13-2, 2.64 ERA) responds for the Giants. Cueto posted his first loss since April 21 last Sunday, but carries a solid 2.86 road ERA into this contest.