New York @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2013 ) Arizona 5, NY Mets 4

The Arizona Diamondbacks face an uphill climb in both the division and wild-card races as they prepare to host the New York Mets on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. The Diamondbacks are 8-10 since the All-Star break but regained some of their equilibrium by sweeping an abbreviated two-game series from Tampa Bay to stay within hailing distance of the surging Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. They also are 4 1/2 games behind Cincinnati for the second wild card.

The Mets kick off an 11-game, 11-day road trip and are in the midst of playing 13 consecutive contests against NL West opponents. New York took three straight from the Colorado Rockies - its first three-game home sweep of the year - to move within a game of Washington for second place in the NL East. "I think it'd be huge. I think it'd be an enormous lift," Mets manager Terry Collins said of overtaking the Nationals. "This might be, in my time here, the toughest road trip we've had to face."

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (4-8, 4.23 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (12-3, 2.33)

Hefner had one bad inning in his last outing against Kansas City and received a no-decision after yielding three runs on eight hits over six frames. He had a streak of eight consecutive starts with two runs or fewer allowed, but has surrendered 22 runs over his last four turns and is riding a five-start winless streak. Hefner defeated the Diamondbacks on July 2 with seven innings of one-run ball.

Corbin, who is seeking to halt a two-start losing streak, was roughed up for a season-high five runs in a 9-1 loss to Hefner and New York on July 2. He gave up three runs in six innings at Boston last time out and was a hard-luck loser in his previous start versus San Diego, permitting one run over eight innings in a 1-0 defeat. Corbin has been sensational at home, logging an 8-1 record and 1.50 ERA in 12 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The teams split a four-game series in New York last month.

2. Corbin is tied for third in the majors for most starts (12) with one run or fewer allowed

3. Hefner has pitched better away from home with a 3-3 mark and 3.93 ERA.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Mets 2