Scott Olsen vs. Chan Ho Park
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Despite surrendering three solo homers in the first two innings of his previous start -- a no-decision against the Braves -- Olsen ended up striking out 10. The lefty worked eight innings, giving the bullpen a breather while showing he can settle down. His previous long start was 5 1/3 innings this season. The 23-year-old has struggled with walks allowed all season, but he issued one free pass while facing the Braves, so his command may be turning around.
Mets: Chan Ho Park will make his regular-season Mets debut in place of Orlando Hernandez, who had a stiff shoulder examined on Sunday. Park made four starts for Triple-A New Orleans, going 3-1 with a 7.29 ERA while striking out 20 batters in 21 innings.
Ricky Nolasco vs. Mike Pelfrey
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Nolasco was one of four Marlins rookie pitchers who won at least 10 games last season. He finished 11-11 with a 4.82 ERA, but he developed arm trouble near season's end. He's coming off a rehab period from arm inflammation. The Marlins tinkered with making him the team's closer, but he was needed to help solidify an injury-dotted staff. Nolasco likely will be on a pitch count in this return.
Mets: There's no doubt Pelfrey would like to put last week's outing against the Rockies behind him. The abbreviated start was the worst of the rookie's career, as Colorado tagged him for six runs and eight hits in just three innings. He'll look to get back on track against a Marlins team that he faced twice last season with decent results -- six runs in 11 innings, good for one win and one no-decision.
Oliver Perez vs. Anibal Sanchez
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Coming off a season-high 109 pitches, Sanchez makes his second start of the road trip. The right-hander gave up three runs on nine hits at Philadelphia in his previous start. Sanchez was not involved in the decision that night. Sanchez has gone as far as six innings once, on April 9 in a win over the Brewers. In 26 2/3 innings this season, the 23-year-old has struck out 13 and walked 15.
Mets: Perez is coming off a strong outing in which one bad pitch cost him. He struck out nine and walked none against the Nationals on Friday, but the three-run homer he gave up to Austin Kearns in the first inning proved too much for the Mets to overcome in a 4-3 loss. But Perez has struck out nine and walked none in each of his last two starts. Perez has fanned 26 and walked only seven in 23 1/3 innings this season.