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The New York Mets experienced quite a few offseason losses between starting pitcher Jacob deGrom going to the Texas Rangers and closer Edwin Diaz going down for the season with an unfortunate injury — and will look to starting pitcher David Peterson for a big start to the year as they face the Miami Marlins on the road on Friday.
New York Mets (-110, 7.5) vs. Miami Marlins
Throughout his career, Peterson has spent time as both a starting pitcher and reliever, but showed promise as a starter, posting a 3.21 ERA with 10.4 strikeouts and 0.9 home runs per nine innings allowed from April through August across 16 starts and 20 total appearances before being moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen throughout September and October.
Peterson gets to face a Marlins lineup that posted 3.6 runs per game and the fewest home runs while at home of any National League in 2022.
In four appearances against the Marlins last season, Peterson allowed five runs across 18 innings and looked more improved in spring training this season with no runs and one hit allowed across 12 innings.
The Marlins counter with Jesus Luzardo, who pitched better than his 4-7 record would indicate, registering a 3.32 ERA with 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings and an opponent’s batting average of .191.
Luzardo’s 2022 issues primarily came at home though, posting a 4.25 ERA and allowing opponents to hit .238 off him.
While the Mets’ 3.55 bullpen ERA figures to rise with Diaz out this season and Seth Lugo is no longer with the team, the Marlins have a lot of question marks for a bullpen that was 22nd in the league with a 4.15 ERA last season.
The Mets led the National League in road batting average at .265 last season and with the way Peterson is entering the 2023 season, the Mets will reel in a road win against the Marlins on Friday.
The Play: Mets -110