(My Sportsbook) - A terrific pitching matchup is on tap this afternoon at Dolphin Stadium when Johan Santana and the
New York Mets play the rubber match of their three-game series against Josh Johnson and the
Florida Marlins.
After a rough first inning on Opening Day, Santana settled down and delivered a fantastic effort to beat the Cincinnati Reds, as he surrendered just one run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also struck out seven and walked four batters.
Santana, who led the majors with a 2.53 ERA in 2008, is 10-0 with a 2.07 ERA in his last 18 starts and has not lost since June 28.
The 30-year-old left-hander has dominated the Marlins over the course of his brilliant career, winning all five of his starts against them, while pitching to a stingy 1.83 earned run average.
As good as Santana was in his first start, Johnson was even better against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. Johnson, who had only made 15 starts over the past two seasons because of injuries, limited the Nationals to seven hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He also fanned eight batters without a walk.
Like Santana, Johnson has also had success against the opponent he will face on Sunday. In five starts versus the Mets, Johnson is 4-0 with a 1.76 ERA.
Florida could use another strong outing from Johnson after New York handed it its first loss of the season on Saturday, as Jose Reyes finished 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBI, lifting the Mets to an 8-4 win.
Luis Castillo was 4-for-4, scored three runs and drove one, while Carlos Delgado collected three hits and two RBI in the win, helping New York halt a two-game slide.
Livan Hernandez (1-0) allowed six hits and two runs over 6 2/3 innings to get the win in his Mets debut.
Emilio Bonifacio was 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Marlins, who lost for the first time in 2009 after beginning the year with a franchise-best four consecutive victories. Hanley Ramirez, Wes Helms and Ross Gload added an RBI each in the setback.
Starter Ricky Nolasco (1-1) allowed seven hits and four runs over five innings for the loss.
Bonifacio has had multi-hit efforts in all five games and is batting .583 (14- for-24) with nine runs scored. However, he is hitless in five at-bats against Santana.
Delgado, meanwhile, is within three RBI of 1,500 for his career, but has yet to record a hit in 11 at-bats against Johnson.
New York won the season series a year ago, 10-8, and won five of the nine matchups in Miami.
