mlb.com:

Willis back on the hill

Florida (74-77) at NY Mets (92-58), 7:10 p.m. ET

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

After beating the Mets, 16-5, on Sept. 11, the Marlins were two games over .500 and well positioned in the Wild Card standings.

Since then, they've dropped six of seven, severely damaging their Wild Card chances. Now, they will have to rebound in a hurry to have a winning season.

 

In need of a dramatic turnaround, the Marlins have encouragement that their ace, Dontrelle Willis, is set to go Wednesday.

 

A win, and Willis will be over .500 for the first time since he was 1-0 in April. The D-Train has revved up as the season progressed.

 

He's won two straight starts and he's 4-1 in his last six outings.

 

In his last two starts, the 24-year-old left-hander has given up four runs in 16 1/3 innings. He is coming off a win at Atlanta, where he gave up four runs in 7 1/3 innings.

 

At Shea Stadium, Willis has enjoyed a great deal of success, boasting a 6-1 record.

 

The Mets are going with left-hander Oliver Perez, who faced the Marlins at Dolphin Stadium on Sept. 12. Perez (3-11) struck out a season-high 11 in that game, but he wasn't involved in the decision. He gave up four runs and threw 101 pitches.

 

In five career starts against the Marlins, Perez is 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA, and he's averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings facing Florida.

 

Pitching matchup

FLA: LHP Dontrelle Willis (11-11, 3.80)

By winning back-to-back starts, Willis evened his season record. Willis has traditionally done well against the Mets. The left-hander is 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA this year in four starts. The D-Train has logged 208 2/3 innings on the season. He continues to work deep into games. While the left-hander gave up four runs in his last start, a win at Atlanta, he worked 7 1/3 innings.

 

NYM: LHP Oliver Perez (3-11, 6.61)

Perez looked unstoppable at times in his last start, fanning 11 in five innings, though he was unable to earn the win at Florida. In the Mets' six-man rotation, Perez figures to get two more starts this season, and his place in the bullpen for the postseason is still very much in doubt.

 

Player to watch

After going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Tuesday, Miguel Cabrera is 1-for-7 in the series, and his batting average is .338. Cabrera is battling to become the first Marlin to win a batting title.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? SUN

(SNY in NY)

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol)

 

Up next

? Thursday: Marlins (RHP Anibal Sanchez, 8-3, 2.90) at Mets (RHP Pedro Martinez, 9-6, 4.03), 7:10 p.m. ET

? Friday: Marlins (RHP Ricky Nolasco, 11-9, 4.56) at Phillies (LHP Cole Hamels, 8-8, 4.21), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Saturday: Marlins (RHP Brian Moehler, 7-9, 6.09) at Phillies (LHP Randy Wolf, 4-0, 5.47), 1:20 p.m. ET

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

Sadly, I think that our season is over, but lets not give up the hope and play for .500!

GO FISH!

I wonder if they're bringing back that nasty lineup from last night?

GO MARLINS.. Jake I want to see #20.

No Cabs tonight.

Let's go Hanley

ah no Cabs!

That looked good to me. Dontrelle will struggle if he doesn't have a large zone.

WOW.. Some great squeezing @ home I see.

No Cabs? Joe protecting the AVG for him? Joe given up on the season?

No Cabs? Joe protecting the AVG for him? Joe given up on the season?

 

Injured shoulder said SNY.

No Cabs? Joe protecting the AVG for him? Joe given up on the season?

 

Speculation is fun

 

Cabs hurt his shoulder yesterday, tested it in BP and couldn't go.

Learn some control you a**hole.

DVH: Miggy day to day.....

Damn lol, I love dontrelle's animation.

Way to get there Dontrelle, nice work

 

Damn lol, I love dontrelle's animation.

 

Yeah he's fun to watch.

That would have snuck through a drawn-in infield.

 

Whew. Strike? Ok.

Let's get that run back

Is Helms playing 3B?

Yes

Wow.. Perez, makes bad mistakes as usual.

Nice play by Uggz there

Swing.

Where are the bats?

 

Keep it up Dontrelle.

Bad, late call.

 

f*** you Lo Duca. You cheater.

Very late call