New York @ San Diego preview
Petco Park
Last Meeting ( May 27, 2012 ) San Diego 0, NY Mets 2
The New York Mets conclude their 11-game road trip with a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, which begins Friday at Petco Park. New York is 5-3 so far on its trek, allowing only one run in four of its five victories. The road trip appears to be just what the Mets needed following a disastrous 0-6 homestand. The club still is hoping to reach the postseason as it is 8 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.
San Diego returns home from a 10-game road trip that saw it post only three victories. The Padres have played 42 games on the road since May 21 as opposed to just 23 at home. After erupting for 11 runs in a victory at New York on May 24, San Diego scored a total of one run over the final three contests - all losses - of the four-game series.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSSD (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH R.A. Dickey (14-2, 2.83 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (7-11, 4.14)
Dickey, who is tied for the major-league lead in victories, recovered from a rough spell Sunday at Arizona, where he allowed an unearned run and four hits over seven innings in a triumph over the Diamondbacks. The 37-year-old knuckleballer had surrendered four or more runs in five of his previous six starts, winning just twice in that span. Dickey, who is 8-1 on the road this year, evened his career record against San Diego at 1-1 with a win on May 27 in which he scattered three hits and struck out 10 over 7 1/3 scoreless frames.
Richard will be making just his fourth start at home in his last 11 outings. The 28-year-old came away with a no-decision at Miami on Sunday after allowing two runs in 5 1/3 frames. Richard is 1-1 in four career starts against the Mets, including a loss at New York on May 26 in which he surrendered four runs over six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York closer Frank Francisco, who has been sidelined with a strained oblique, is expected to be activated from the disabled list in time for Friday's series opener.
2. San Diego has been outscored 82-38 in the first inning this season.
3. The Mets have allowed fewer than two runs a major league-leading 27 times this year.