Oh, that wicked bullpen tried its hardest to throw yesterday’s game away, but David Wright just wouldn’t let them. Instead, the Mets (60-54) won the series with a swing of Wright’s bat, much to the dismay of those diabolical saboteurs Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, and Scott Schoeneweis. They and the rest of their infamous cabal will try their best to sink the team this weekend instead, during a vital series with the Florida Marlins (61-54). A series win will put the Mets a half-game up on the Marlins, while a sweep could net the Mets a taste of first.

The Marlins will be throwing three familiar names at the Mets; they’re the same guys the Mets saw when they faced the Fish last week: Ricky Nolasco (11-6, 3.91), Scott Olsen (6-6, 3.87), and Josh Johnson (2-0, 3.34). The Mets will counter with Ollie Perez (7-7, 4.12), either Brian Stokes (0-0, —) or Claudio Vargas (3-2, 4.62), and Mike Pelfrey (10-7, 3.85).

Game 1: Ricky Nolasco, RHP

What’s the Story? You can read my original scouting report on Nolasco here.

This Year: Nolasco wasn’t particularly sharp during his first start against the Mets. He gave up three runs, nine hits—including two solo homeruns by Jose Reyes—and a pair of walks over five innings. Last week, he was quite a bit better. He threw six innings and did allow two runs and seven hits, but only one went for extra bases, and he didn’t walk a soul. He also struck out eight Mets.

What to Expect: Nolasco’s made two great starts in a row now, which includes his last start against the Mets. He’s thrown 14 innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits. What’s been most impressive is his strikeout-to-walk ratio: 21:0. On the season, it’s been a very solid 117:34, suggesting that Nolasco’s deserved the success he’s seen in 2008. His curve has been outstanding lately. He threw a lot of them—nearly half of his pitches—the last time out, and it really displayed some nice break. He’ll also mix in a couple splitters to lefties, but his primary weapons are the fastball and curve, both of which he can get strikes with.

Game 2: Scott Olsen, LHP

What’s the Story? You can read my original scouting report on Olsen here.

This Year: Olsen had a so-so outing against the Mets on May 28th. He lasted just five innings and allowed four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three. Of those six hits, four went for extra bases, including homeruns to Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes. Last week, Olsen again pitched just okay, as two shaky innings ruined his outing. He only allowed two runs over five-and-two-thirds innings, but he allowed six hits—three went for extra-bases—and two walks, while striking out five.

What to Expect: Like Nolasco, Olsen is coming off a great start against the Rockies. He threw six shutout innings of one-hit baseball. Still, he ran up his pitch count to 91 pitches through six, forcing the Marlins to pinch-hit for him in the bottom half of the inning. The Marlins wound up losing 3-2. Olsen lasted seven or more innings in five of his first seven starts, but he’s managed the feat just four times in 16 starts since. He’ll give up his fair share of walks, but he doesn’t strike out many, so Mets hitters might benefit from a patient approach.

Game 3: Josh Johnson, RHP

What’s the Story? You can read my original scouting report on Johnson here.

This Year: Johnson was looking pretty good in his start against the Mets last week before tiring in the seventh as he eclipsed the hundred-pitch mark, giving up a homerun to Damion Easley. His final tally was six-and-two-thirds innings, four runs, eight hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.

What to Expect: The Marlins are a perfect 5-0 this season in the games Johnson starts, although Johnson was lucky the Phillies didn’t score a run off him his last time out. He threw 97 pitches over six innings, but his control wasn’t particularly strong. He walked four batters and gave up hits to five more. Johnson’s game plan will be fastballs low in the zone early in counts, followed by either the slider or changeup. Lefties can hit him pretty hard.

Overall: I just don’t have a good feeling about this series, so I’m picking the Marlins to take two of three. I’ve got the Mets failing to win any but the last, handing Johnson his first loss of the year. My reasons? The usual suspects, I’m afraid. Poor situational hitting and nincompoopery in the bullpen. Maybe they’ll get their act together, though. I hope so, at least.