Marlins' matchup is 142 days in the making
NEW YORK -- Tuesday's split doubleheader between the Marlins and Mets at Citi Field won't be your typical twin bill. Game 1, which is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET, will be the resumption of an April 11 matchup that was halted after nine pitches due to rain.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the game will resume after a gap of 142 days -- the largest for a suspended contest in MLB history. The previous record was 126 days by Atlanta at Florida in 1995 (May 4-Sept. 7).
Much has changed since the first month of the season, so here is a primer to prep you for what to expect.
What's the situation?
Play will resume in the top of a scoreless first inning with a runner at first base and one out. Jesús Aguilar will be ahead in the count 2-0. The outcome of that first inning will affect Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman's April stats: If the runner comes around to score, it will be charged to that month. If the runner doesn't, it will lower his ERA.
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How long will they play?
The suspended game will go nine innings, while the 7:10 p.m. ET nightcap will be a seven-inning affair. Both clubs will field a 27-man active roster per doubleheader rules.
What were the lineups?
Miami
1) LF Corey Dickerson
2) CF Starling Marte
3) 1B Jesús Aguilar
4) 3B Brian Anderson
5) RF Adam Duvall
6) 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
7) SS Miguel Rojas
8) C Chad Wallach
9) RHP John Curtiss
Dickerson, Marte, Duvall, Wallach and Curtiss are no longer with the Marlins. Players on the active roster come Tuesday can substitute straight up for them. That likely means some variation of Jorge Alfaro, Bryan De La Cruz, Jesús Sánchez and Lewis Brinson manning the outfield. Alex Jackson could fill in at backstop.
De La Cruz and Brinson can play all three outfield positions. Alfaro has been in left, with Sánchez in right. The way the batting order is constructed could determine who plays where, though Miami already had its third batter to the plate in Aguilar. De La Cruz, who has been hitting in the bottom third of the lineup, might be a candidate to lead off for the first time. Rojas and Chisholm usually bat toward the top of the order, so they will be hurt by fewer at-bats.
New York
1) CF Brandon Nimmo
2) SS Francisco Lindor
3) LF Dominic Smith
4) 1B Pete Alonso
5) 2B Jeff McNeil
6) RF Michael Conforto
7) 3B Luis Guillorme
8) C Tomás Nido
9) RHP Marcus Stroman
Nido recently was activated from the injured list, so he can remain in the ballgame. Guillorme is on the IL with a left hamstring strain, which means the Mets will need to find someone to man the hot corner. Perhaps they put Javier Báez, who joined the club at the Trade Deadline, there. He has 104 games' worth of experience -- most recently in 2019. Or maybe they go with primary starter J.D. Davis, who missed this game in April. Stroman started on Saturday against the Nationals, so he will be unavailable to pitch.
How does this affect the Miami's pitching?
Since Curtiss was announced as the starter, the first pitcher for the Marlins will be considered a reliever. Miami likely will call up an arm for the extra roster spot. Thanks to Monday's off-day, top pitching prospect Edward Cabrera and Elieser Hernandez will toe the rubber for the doubleheader. It's a matter of whom the club wants to start the full-length game. Cabrera made his MLB debut last Wednesday, though he pitched into the seventh inning.
Does it have to be the same umpiring crew?
No, it does not. D.J. Reyburn (home plate), Ryan Blakney (first base), Ron Kulpa (second base) and Brian O'Nora (third base) worked that weekend series in April.