New York Mets vs Miami Marlins - Prediction & Match Preview - February 26th | MLB Spring Training 2023

The New York Mets will get their first glimpse of a divisional foe as they square off against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, February 26th. It will be the second game of the preseason for both teams.

For the Mets, who had their first 100-win season since 1988 last year, the stakes could not be higher. Billionaire owner Steve Cohen has spared no expense. The team signed 2022 Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to a 2-year deal worth $86 million, tying his teammate Max Scherzer as the highest-paid MLB player ever.

The Miami Marlins were led by 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara led the league in both innings pitched and shutouts. 2022 was also the Marlins' first season under their new manager, Skip Schumaker.

The New York Mets have the weight of the world on their shoulders this year

With a payroll of over $300 million, the New York Mets are paying their players more than any other team in baseball. In addition to paying Verlander and Scherzer $172 million, the team also went all-in on other arms like Japanese All-Star Kodai Senga.

NL batting champ Jeff McNeil will continue to provide a solid basis for bigger bats like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor to drive in runs. New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte is still on the injured list after undergoing groin surgery last November.

"Jeff McNeil and Billy Eppler chat behind the batting cage:" - @ SNY

Here is the New York Mets' projected lineup for Sunday's game

1. CF Brandon Nimmo
2. 2B Jeff McNeil
3. SS Francisco Lindor
4. 1B Pete Alonso
5. DH Dan Vogelbach
6. LF Mark Canha
7. RF Tyler Naquin
8. 3B Eduardo Escobar
9. C Omar Narvaez

The Miami Marlins won't be counted out in their division

Although the Miami Marlins finished 32 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the division, there is reason to be optimistic about this team. For one, the team acquired second baseman Luis Arraez, who led the AL in batting average as a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Arraez's arrival will mean that Jazz Chisholm Jr., their second baseman last season, will make the move to center field. Chisholm Jr. only played 60 games last season, but stole 12 bases and hit 4 triples. The Marlins are creating a high-average, speedy team.

"Jazz Chisholm Jr. talkin batting average, timing, barreling, predicting homers, competing vs pitcher & movement in swing. #TalkinBaseball" - @ John Peabody

Additionally, veteran Jean Segura inked a 2-year deal worth $17 million. Last season, Segura hit .277/.336/.387 for the Philadelphia Phillies. He will take over the third-base position on the Marlins.

Here's how we might see the Marlins line up on Sunday

1. 2B Luis Arraez
2. 3B Jean Segura
3. CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
4. 1B Garrett Cooper
5. RF Avisail Garcia
6. DH Jorge Soler
7. SS Joe Wendle
8. LF Bryan De La Cruz
9. C Jacob Stallings

The New York Mets are one of the top picks to win the World Series this year. The New York Mets should be able to handle the Marlins. This game could be a bellwether to see how the regular season will play out between the two teams.