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Marlins-Mets Preview

Apr 6, 2010 - 9:32 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Florida (0-1) at New York (1-0), 7:10 p.m. EDT

An opposite-field homer from David Wright may be an indication that the New York Mets are headed in a different direction this season.

Wright, whose decreased power numbers last year may have been due in part to Citi Field, looks to build on a successful season opener as he leads the Mets against the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night.

Injuries hampered New York last season, as it finished in fourth place in the NL East. A subpar season from Wright didn't help, either.

In the Mets' first season at Citi Field, which expands by as much as 415 feet in the right center field corner, Wright was limited to a career-low 10 home runs. He hit New York's only opposite-field homer at home Aug. 5.

In desperate need of a fast start this year, Wright delivered an opposite-field two-run shot in the first inning of a 7-1 win over Florida on Monday.

"I'm excited to hit a home run, but it's not about home runs," Wright told the Mets' official Web site. "I don't judge my success by home runs. We're not going to live or die on home runs."

The Mets have opened this year with shortstop Jose Reyes, center fielder Carlos Beltran and first baseman Daniel Murphy on the disabled list.

The club's rash of injuries last season may have hurt Wright, who didn't have much protection in the lineup. The Mets signed free agent Jason Bay in the offseason, and he went 2 for 4 batting two spots behind No. 4 hitter Wright.

"We're not really a team that's built relying on one or two guys," Bay said.

Once healthy, New York should be able to field a productive lineup. The Mets' biggest concern seems to be starting pitching depth behind ace Johan Santana.

John Maine (7-6, 4.43 ERA) takes the mound for New York after missing much of last year due to a sore right shoulder. Maine was sharper when he returned in September, allowing one run or fewer in two of his last three starts.

The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.05 ERA in four starts at home versus the Marlins and 5-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 career starts against them.

Florida will counter with Ricky Nolasco (13-9, 5.06), who is its No. 2 starter after taking the ball on opening day a year ago. He was demoted to Triple-A New Orleans in May after going 2-5 with a 9.07 ERA in his first nine starts, but went 11-4 with a 3.82 ERA in 22 outings after returning.

The right-hander had an outstanding spring, going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA and walking one while striking out 21 in 25 1-3 innings.

Nolasco is 3-6 with a 5.99 ERA in 13 starts and two relief appearances against the Mets. Wright is batting .361 (13 for 36) with three homers and three doubles against him.

Florida's lineup had a tough first game, going 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. It was an ugly performance for a team that hopes to be a surprise contender again after finishing in second place in the NL East last year.

Defending NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez had two hits. Ramirez has hit .390 (32 for 82) in his last 22 games against the Mets.