New York @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( May 6, 2015 ) Baltimore 1, NY Mets 5

Jacob deGrom goes for his team-high 11th victory as the New York Mets kick off a nine-game road trip on Tuesday night with the first of two interleague contests against the Baltimore Orioles. The Mets, who hold a 4 1/2-game lead over Washington atop the National League East, will be trying to rebound after getting swept at home in a three-game series versus Pittsburgh.

DeGrom is unbeaten over his last six starts, not allowing a run in half of them to lower his ERA to 2.03 - second in the majors to Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Orioles opened a 10-game homestand with a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics to snag the second wild card in the American League. Seldom-used designated hitter Steve Clevenger followed up Sunday's four-hit performance with the second homer of his career, a three-run shot in Monday's 4-2 victory that moved Baltimore five games over .500 for the first time since July 2. Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman, who has pitched at least seven innings in three of his past four starts, will oppose deGrom.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (11-6, 2.03 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (2-4, 4.48)

DeGrom matched his season high with four walks last time out, but he more than compensated by striking out 10 and limiting Colorado to two hits over seven scoreless innings. It was the fifth quality start in as many outings since the All-Star break for deGrom, who is 2-0 and has permitted a total of six runs in that span. Since losing his first three decisions away from home this season, deGrom is 5-1 over his last seven road starts.

Gausman struck out eight and yielded three runs over seven innings in his last outing, but it went for naught as the Orioles were no-hit by Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma. He was tagged for six runs in 5 2/3 innings by the Los Angeles Angels in his previous turn, which followed a pair of solid outings in which he gave up two runs over 14 2/3 innings. Gausman is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in six appearances (three starts) at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 1B Lucas Duda (back), who has not started the past six games, is hoping to be back in the lineup Tuesday.

2. Orioles C Matt Wieters (strained right hamstring) has sat out five straight games but is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday.

3. The Mets are targeting next Monday as the return date for 3B David Wright (back), who has been sidelined since April 14.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Orioles 2