Marlins-Mets postponed Tues.; doubleheader today

NEW YORK -- Try as they might, the Mets and Marlins were unable to play Tuesday’s series opener at Citi Field due to unplayable field conditions. The teams will reconvene for a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday, beginning at 4:10 p.m. ET.

Although the last vestiges of rain from Tropical Storm Ophelia ceased falling around 5 p.m., the field remained soaked from a full weekend of precipitation. Grounds crew members worked for around three hours on the field but were unable to make it playable. The infield remained so muddy that it stuck to the wheels of tractors, prompting the teams to make a decision shortly after 8 p.m.

The postponement is particularly damaging for the contending Marlins, who have been struggling through pitching issues and can no longer throw left-hander Braxton Garrett twice more in the regular season on standard rest. Miami, which entered Tuesday’s play one game out of a National League Wild Card spot, was set to throw a bullpen game Wednesday, with Garrett starting Game 1 and the Game 2 starter TBD.

The Mets, who have been employing a six-man rotation for weeks, are mostly unaffected from a competitive standpoint. Left-hander Joey Lucchesi and righty Kodai Senga will start Wednesday’s doubleheader in an order to be determined. Senga’s start will be his last of the season.

It is a chance for New York to play spoiler against its division rivals, who infamously did the same to them in 2007 and ‘08. The Mets have won seven of their 10 meetings with the Marlins so far this season.

Tickets for Tuesday’s originally scheduled game will not be valid for the makeup. Fans holding a ticket for Tuesday’s game will receive a digital voucher that can be exchanged for a comparably priced remaining home game or a 2024 home game in March, April or May (excluding Opening Day). Full details of the team’s policy are available at Mets.com/Rain.