Mets hope to keep riding surging offense vs. Marlins

Is Pete Alonso nearing the end of his time with the New York Mets?

The team's star first baseman, who becomes a free agent at the season's end, wants to close a presently subpar season with a bang. He will start on that Friday night when New York opens a four-game series on the road against the Miami Marlins.

Alonso's numbers aren't bad -- .240, 19 home runs and 51 RBIs -- but he has at least 37 home runs in each of his four full seasons and knocked in at least 94 runs. Three times, he's recorded more than 100 RBIs.

An Alonso surge would not only pump up his future paychecks but could also help the Mets make the playoffs. They currently hold the National League's final wild-card spot by a game over the defending National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres.

"That hasn't crossed my mind at all," Alonso said of his future. "I still think of New York as home. For me, I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help this team win. I love this group, this organization and the city."

Even with Alonso not hitting at his usual level, New York is eighth in the major leagues in runs and fifth in homers. Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo have led an offensive surge the last six weeks that has seen the Mets win more than two-thirds of their games.

To become a playoff team and have a chance to win in the postseason, though, the Mets know their pitching will have to improve. The staff's 4.23 staff ERA is 22nd in MLB and the club likely will troll the trade market between now and the deadline in less than two weeks.

Mets left-hander Sean Manaea (6-3, 3.46 ERA) will get the start on Friday night. Manaea last pitched on July 12 in a 7-6 win over Colorado, fanning nine over seven innings to earn the decision. He's 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins, beating them in May.

While New York has playoff aspirations, Miami is playing out the string. At 30 games under .500, the Marlins have little chance of getting back into the playoff chase. Trades figure to be ahead in the hope they can rebuild a barren farm system.

Jazz Chisholm could be one of those players headed to a contender. The team's center fielder is likely to see time at second base, where he played before moving to the outfield last year. Kansas City, Seattle and the New York Yankees could be keen on landing a versatile player like Chisholm.

Miami manager Skip Schumaker said there are multiple reasons to shift Chisholm back to his original position. In fact, Chisholm started Sunday's 3-2 win in Cincinnati at second base.

"Trying to keep his bat in the lineup every day," Schumaker said. "Also trying to keep him playing every day for 160-plus games, which he has never done. Maybe second base is a way to get him off his feet a little bit ... I think he could play that in his sleep."

The Marlins' probable starter Friday is right-hander Edward Cabrera (1-3, 8.26). He is 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA over seven career starts against the Mets.

--Field Level Media