The Mets and Marlins play the middle game of their three game set tonight at Shea. Brian Stokes will make his first career start for the Mets against Scott Olsen. Game time is slated for 7:10 EST and can be seen on SNY.

Keys to the Game:

• Innings from Stokes: Stokes will face a predominantly right handed lineup tonight, and with most of the Marlins top hitters struggling since the all star break (Ramirez, Uggla, and Willingham), he might be able to give this team a quality start tonight. I’d take six innings and two runs from him anyday of the week, so I’ll be ecstatic if he can deliver that.
• Put the Hammer Down: Make this a a statement series. Go out there tonight, play some crisp baseball and make a sweep tomorrow possible.

For a lineup, head to Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.

As always, to chat during the game head to  The Hot Foot Bleachers.

LETS GO METS.