Preview: Mud Hens, Mets Meet in Rubber Match Friday

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Toledo Mud Hens and Syracuse Mets, locked in an early-season series, will play the deciding fifth game Friday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 44 degrees.

Both teams enter with identical 2-3 records. The series is tied 2-2 after Toledo’s 17-7 offensive explosion Thursday afternoon, which followed Syracuse’s 4-2 win Wednesday.

The Mud Hens will send right-hander Ty Madden (0-0) to the mound for his first start of the season. He will be opposed by Syracuse right-hander Joander Suarez (0-1), who took the loss in Sunday’s 10-8 win at Worcester.

A player to watch for Toledo is catcher Eduardo Valencia, who drove in three runs in Thursday’s blowout victory. For Syracuse, catcher Hayden Senger looks to stay hot after a two-homer, three-RBI performance in the same game.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 6-5 victory for the Mets. However, the same service’s ELO rating system gives Toledo a slight edge, with a 51.7% probability to win.

Following Friday’s contest, the two teams will meet again Saturday and Sunday to conclude the series before both embark on new road trips next week.

Probable Starters: TOL: RHP Ty Madden (0-0). SYR: RHP Joander Suarez (0-1).

Series: Tied 2-2.

Weather: 44 degrees, cloudy.