Diamondbacks at Mets
The Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets each got off to sizzling starts but have been coming back to the pack since. The Diamondbacks are still atop the National League West but have lost seven of their last eight as they prepare to open a nine-game road trip with the first of three against the Mets on Friday night at Citi Field.
Arizona, which bolted to a 11-3 start and was 21-8 before dropping 10 of its next 14, has been limited to two runs or fewer in six of its last seven games. "Obviously a frustrating homestand but we've got to put it behind us," manager Torey Lovullo said. "Things are not moving in the direction we want them to every single moment, and we've just got to keep plowing away." The Mets will be hoping to get a boost from right-hander Jacob deGrom, who is making his second start since suffering a hyperextended elbow. New York is 3-10 in May following a franchise-best 11-1 start and is without slugger Yoenis Cespedes, who went on the disabled list Wednesday due to a right hip straight.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Arizona, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (4-2, 4.08 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-0, 1.83)
Godley has struggled in his last two starts, giving up four runs in each, but manage to escape with no-decisions against Washington and the Dodgers despite allowing four runs. He went 4-1 over his first five starts and opened the season with two wins by allowing only one run and eight hits while going seven innings each time. Godley has made four career appearances against the Mets, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA.
DeGrom labored in his first start since hurting his elbow and was pulled after throwing 45 pitches versus Philadelphia, although he enters Friday's game riding a scoreless streak of 19 1/3 innings. He was 3-0 over his first six starts of the season, a stretch in which he settled for two no-decisions despite striking out 22. DeGrom won his only career start against Arizona, striking out 10 over seven innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera is batting .320 but is only 8-for-48 lifetime against Arizona.
2. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt went 3-for-26 with no extra-base hits on the homestand.
3. Mets RF Jay Bruce is mired in a 1-for-13 rut.