Mets Series Preview: We meet again, Giancarlo

May 16, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jon Niese (49) throws during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, May 30

Jon Niese (3-5, 4.08 ERA) vs. Tom Koehler (3-3, 3.44 ERA)

The inconsistency of Jon Niese continues on as he faces the Marlins for the 17th time in his career. Niese has been in a rut, losing his last three decision, seeing his ERA skyrocket from 1.52 to 4.08. Again, like many Mets pitchers, his numbers against the Marlins aren’t too impressive, going 5-5 with a 4.19 ERA and five home runs allowed against them.

Oh, three of those five home runs allowed by Niese against the Marlins has been hit by Stanton. His career numbers against the southpaw are frightening: 11-for-30 with three home runs, seven RBI and one double. Yikes.

Opposing Niese is the Bronx native, Tom Koehler who lost to the Mets earlier this season in the “fracture” game on April 19. If you can recall, Koehler pitched three sparkling innings against the Mets before they kicked him out of the ball game after scoring seven runs against him. Later in the game, both Travis d’Arnaud and Jerry Blevins received fractures thanks to a hit-by-pitch and a line drive, respectively.

Back to Koehler, who has improved since that disastrous outing going 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in the following seven decision.

Next: Sunday afternoon's matchup in Queens