Tampa Bay @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2015 ) NY Mets 3, Tampa Bay 4

The frustration continues to bubble over for the New York Mets and no one is feeling it more than ace pitcher Jacob deGrom, who will take the mound in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. Despite leading the major leagues in ERA, deGrom has won only once in his past eight starts for New York.

"I’m definitely frustrated," said deGrom after his last start. "I’m tired of losing to be honest. Everybody else in here I’m sure is. That’s not what we want to do. We came here to win baseball games and we’re not doing that. We have to find a way to do that.” The Mets, who are kicking off a 10-game homestand that will take them into the All-Star break, have dropped 15 of their last 17 games at Citi Field. Tampa Bay used an impressive 8-1 homestand to climb above .500 before opening its six-game road trip by dropping two of three in Miami, with its lone win taxing its pitching staff after lasting 16 innings. "We've got some guys who are going to really appreciate the off-day," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "After that, going into New York, we should be in a much better spot."

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-2, 1.98 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.84)

Stanek has been superb while serving primarily as the designated "opener" for the Rays, but his streak of 12 consecutive scoreless appearances ended in a relief loss at Miami on Monday. He bounced back with two spotless innings of relief the next day against the Marlins, striking out three. Although they are abbreviated outings, Stanek is the only pitcher in history with seven straight scoreless starts.

DeGrom lost his second straight outing despite registering his ninth consecutive quality start last time out, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings at Miami. He has made eight starts at home, posting a 2-2 mark despite a 1.90 ERA and .199 batting average against. Carlos Gomez is 4-for-10 against deGrom, who pitched 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in his only start versus the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gomez went 0-for-9 in Miami and took out his frustrations by smashing a water cooler in the dugout.

2. Mets SS Asdrúbal Cabrera has three homers and seven RBIs while hitting safely in eight of his last nine games.

3. Rays RH Chris Archer could rejoin the team Monday after making one rehab start.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Rays 3