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Mets-Marlins Preview

Jun 30, 2010 - 5:21 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (43-33) at Florida (36-40), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Florida Marlins feel Edwin Rodriguez can provide the stability they need to get back in the NL East race. Completing a sweep of the slumping New York Mets on Wednesday night would also help.

Florida (37-40) announced Rodriguez will remain the club's manager for the remainder of the season Tuesday, and the Marlins responded by beating the Mets 7-6 on Dan Uggla's walkoff single. That came a night after the Marlins opened the series with a 10-3 victory as Rodriguez got his first career win in his native Puerto Rico.

"At the end of the year we'll re-evaluate things," owner Jeffrey Loria said. "What will always be my first and foremost concern are the players. I thought the continuity ... was the most important thing we could do. Edwin's going to be their manager. The coaches will continue that are in place. Continuity's important."

Despite sitting fourth in the East, 7 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta, Loria feels the Marlins can still meet his preseason expectations of contending for a playoff spot.

"We can make it," he said. "We should be able to make a charge. I haven't given up on the season. Neither have the players."

That seems clear with the Marlins on the verge of sweeping the Mets (43-34), who have dropped six of 10 since winning 12 of 13.

Florida has not swept a series since winning four games against New York from May 13-16. They will look to continue their success against Mike Pelfrey (10-2, 2.71 ERA) as they try to beat the Mets again at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

The right-hander is 0-6 with a 5.82 ERA in nine starts against the Marlins since defeating them in his major league debut July 8, 2006. He has struggled to get out Uggla, who is 9 for 23 (.391) with four doubles against him and had a homer and three RBIs on Tuesday.

Pelfrey, though, has gone 6-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his last eight starts. He matched his victory total of last year by yielding two runs in six innings of a 5-2 win over Minnesota on Friday.

"I wouldn't say it's beyond where I thought I could be," Pelfrey told the team's official website. "It's a good start."

Chris Volstad (4-7, 4.40) has not been nearly as effective of late, going 1-5 with a 4.62 ERA in nine starts. Florida, which gave him one total run of support in his most recent two outings, has gone 1-9 in his last 10 games.

Volstad cruised through the first six innings against San Diego on Friday but didn't record an out in the seventh, surrendering three runs and a two-run homer in a 3-0 loss.

Volstad is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts against the Mets. He suffered both defeats last year, posting a 4.91 ERA in those games.