Mets look to take series lead against Marlins

You can feel the critics ready to pounce.

Perhaps, they might say sarcastically, the New York Mets needed to spend more than the value of their $335 million-plus payroll.

Of course, there are still 160 games left in the regular season, but the Mets -- the most expensive team in baseball -- know the spotlight will be on them for the entire 2023 campaign.

So far, the Mets have split two games with the host Miami Marlins,