NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Miami Marlins begin a pivotal four-game series against the New York Mets on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field, with rain in the forecast and temperatures at 77 degrees. Miami (55-54) enters the contest following an 8-6 win Wednesday over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins are five games over .500 and trying to climb the National League standings. New York (46-62) is coming off a 14-3 rout of the Atlanta Braves on Monday. The Mets have lost eight of their last 10 but still hold a season-series edge over Miami, winning three of six meetings in May, including a 10-1 blowout on May 31. Left-hander Sean Manaea (5-8, 3.92 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Mets. Manaea earned the win in his last outing on July 29, holding the Braves to two runs over six innings in a 3-2 victory. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. In five career appearances against Miami, Manaea is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA. The projected starter for Miami was not announced, but reliever Pete Fairbanks has been a key piece out of the bullpen. Fairbanks pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout in Wednesday’s win. He has allowed one earned run over his last 5 2/3 innings but was tagged for three earned runs on July 19 at Milwaukee. Fairbanks has a 3.12 ERA in 40 appearances this season. New York’s Francisco Lindor has been hot, going 3 for 5 with two home runs and six RBIs in the Mets’ win over Atlanta. Tyrone Taylor added three hits and three RBIs in that game. Miami’s offense is led by Heriberto Hernández, who homered and drove in two runs Wednesday. The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-2 win for the Mets. New York is a -1.5 favorite on the run line, with the over/under set at 7. The four-game series continues Friday and Saturday before concluding Sunday. Miami then heads to Atlanta, while the Mets travel to Cleveland.