Mets aim to keep clamps on opposing offenses in rematch vs. Marlins

The New York Mets haven't generated much offense over their last five games.

But thanks to their strong pitching, a little offense has been more than enough.

Clay Holmes will look to extend the Mets' impressive start on the mound Tuesday when he makes his first home start for New York in the middle contest of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins.

Holmes (0-1, 2.89 ERA) is slated to oppose the Marlins' Connor Gillispie (0-1, 3.60) in a battle of right-handers. The pair squared off against each other last Wednesday, with New York winning 6-5 in 11 innings.

The Mets earned their fifth straight win on Monday when Kodai Senga and three relievers combined to give up seven hits in a 2-0 victory over the Marlins.

The Mets have just 18 runs in their winning streak, including seven runs their last three games -- when the first-pitch temperatures were, in order, 45, 52 and 42 degrees. With even colder temperatures expected Tuesday night, the start time was pushed up three hours to 4:10 p.m. ET

Of course, the Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays have been dealing with the weather, too -- a challenge exacerbated by the Mets' pitching staff.

New York pitchers have limited the Marlins and Blue Jays to eight runs over the last five games. The Mets, who lead the majors with a 1.72 ERA, have allowed just 22 runs overall through 10 games -- the fewest runs allowed through the first 10 games in team history.

"The weather (stinks), but you've got to make the best out of it," said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who had three hits Monday to boost his career total to 1,500.

"This month, you've got to grind, It's cold. It's not fun. But you've got to get it done. To be able to win games, close games, it says a lot about our pitching staff, a lot about our defense."

The Marlins have struggled offensively regardless of temperature. Miami went 1-for-13 with runners on base Monday, three days after suffering a 10-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves on an 86-degree night in Georgia.

The Marlins also ran into outs on the basepaths. Otto Lopez was caught stealing with Xavier Edwards at third base and one out in the first inning, and Dane Myers was picked off first in the seventh.

"(It's) unfortunate the way those things went down," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. "But I applaud and will continue to appreciate the aggressiveness and looking for ways to get ourselves into scoring position in a game where offense was hard to come by for both sides."

Holmes and Gillispie did not factor into the decision last Wednesday when the Mets overcame a three-run, eighth-inning deficit to win in Miami. Holmes allowed two runs (one earned) over 4 2/3 innings while Gillispie gave up one run over five innings.

Holmes is 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA and one save in 10 games (one start) against the Marlins. Gillispie will make his second career start against the Mets.

--Field Level Media