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MIAMI -- The New York Mets won the NL East last season, finishing 19 games ahead of the third-place Miami Marlins.This year, the Marlins have made up that gap -- all of it -- and lead the Mets in the race for the second and final wild-card spot by 1 1/2 games.The Mets, who made the World Series last year, are in danger of not even making the playoffs this season, thanks, in part, to the improvement by the Marlins.Starting Friday night, the Marlins (52-43) will host the Mets (50-44) in a key three-game series.(The Marlins are) playing very, very well, Mets manager Terry Collins told the New York media this week. Weve got to win two (of three). Weve got to make up ground. Its going to be a big weekend.The highlight of the series will come on Saturday night, when Miamis Jose Fernandez (11-4, 2.53 ERA) will face New Yorks Jacob deGrom (6-4, 2.38).Fernandez is 25-1 with a 1.43 ERA in his career at Marlins Park. In six career starts against the Mets, home or away, Fernandez is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA.Hes almost unbeatable at home, Collins said. Thats no fun (for opponents).Fridays opener will feature Miami left-hander Adam Conley (6-5, 3.61) against Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.21).On Sunday, New York will start the left-hander when it sends Steven Matz (7-6, 3.56) against Miamis Jose Urena (1-1, 6.23).Given the pitching matchups and how New Yorks offense has struggled lately, especially with runners on base, the Mets may be battling just to avoid a sweep by Sunday.Still, as bad as things seem for New York at the moment, Mets fans can take solace in the fact that their team looked similarly lifeless at this point last season. Then they made one major trade, getting slugger Yoenis Cespedes, and added several smaller pieces such as reliever Tyler Clippard and veteran hitters off the bench such as Kelly Johnson and Jose Uribe.The moves worked, and the Mets overtook the front-running Washington Nationals.This year, the Nationals -- backed by former Mets standout Daniel Murphy -- are in front again. But now the Nationals have two serious challengers in the division -- the Marlins and Mets -- instead of just one.With this years non-waiver trade deadline looming at midnight on July 31, the Marlins and Mets are hoping to be active as buyers. The Marlins are looking for one of two starting pitchers, while the Mets could use more offense in addition to pitching depth.The Marlins offense figures to get a boost on July 28 when second baseman Dee Gordon returns from an 80-game suspension after it was ruled that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.Marlins manager Don Mattingly has said Gordon would be slowly eased back into his former role as a starter.Gordon, who won an NL batting title and led the league in steals last year, is the only true speed threat on the team and also plays excellent defense. He figures to be the every-day starter before too long, assuming he retains his previous form.That would displace Derek Dietrich, who has done an excellent job filling in at second. The Marlins could look into trading third baseman Martin Prado and replacing him with Dietrich. After all, Prado is a free agent after this season, doesnt provide much power and will turn 33 in October.But Prado is a team leader, and the Marlins are reluctant to trade him now that they smell playoffs.Power-hitting first baseman Justin Bour is also set to return soon from an ankle injury, further complicating Mattinglys decisions on playing time.In addition to the pennant race and the imminent return of Gordon and Bour, the other major story is Ichiro Suzukis chase to become the 30th major-leaguer to reach 3,000 hits. He would tie Roberto Clemente on the hit list once he reaches the milestone.Suzuki needs four more hits to get there, and the Marlins are hoping it happens during this 10-game homestand.Either way, Suzuki is immensely popular in Japan, Seattle and pretty much anywhere there are baseball fans. Its hard not to root for the 42-year-old star, who has contributed in outstanding fashion this season as Miamis fourth outfielder.Meanwhile, the Mets are awaiting the return of first baseman Lucas Duda (back) and starting pitcher Zach Wheeler (elbow surgery) -- two players they hope to get off the disabled list next month.On Wednesday, Duda swung a bat and took grounders for the first time since landing on the DL in May. Wheeler, meanwhile, is set to throw a bullpen session in front of Mets coaches on Friday in Miami.In other story lines regarding the series:The Marlins tied a season best on Thursday night by going nine games over .500. Before this year, the last time they were nine games over was in 2011. The last time they were nine games over in the second half of a season was in 2009.Marlins closer A.J. Ramos has 31 saves. With one more save, he ties his career high, which was set last year.Mets closer Jeurys Familia has saved 49 consecutive chances, the longest active streak in the majors and fourth-longest in baseball history. Eric Gagne has the record with 84, followed by Tom Gordon (54) and Jose Valverde (51).The Marlins are 11-5 in July and have not lost consecutive games this month.Mets infielder Wilmer Flores already has seven homers this month. Air Max 90 Sale Nederland . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Nike Air Max Goedkoop Bestellen . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. http://www.airmax90salenederland.com/ .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Air Max 90 Nederland . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Nike Air Max 90 Kopen Nederland . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. DALLAS -- Shake Milton scored a season-high 17 points and SMU defeated McNeese State 92-56 on Wednesday night for the Mustangs fourth straight win.Milton hit 4 of 5 3-point attempts, while Semi Ojeleye made 4 of 7 for 16 points. Sterling Brown had his third career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. SMU was 12 of 23 from the arc.The Mustangs (8-3), who shot 50 percent, grabbed a season-high 51 rebounds and had a 40-14 advantage in points in the paint.Kalob Ledoux had four 3-pointers and 16 points to lead McNeese (2-6), which lost its third straight.ddddddddddddThe Cowboys made 11 3-pointers.Ojeleye scored the games first points on three 3-pointers. Milton had two 3-pointers and Ben Moore five points in an 11-0 run for a 37-7 lead with 8:49 left in the first half, which ended with SMU ahead 48-23. The Cowboys only got as close as 17 early in the second half. ' ' '