ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Interstat) — The Syracuse Mets and Lehigh Valley IronPigs continue their six-game series Friday night at Coca-Cola Park, with the forecast calling for 80-degree temperatures and clouds.

Syracuse (39-37) enters the game having won two of the first three games of the series, including a 5-4 victory Wednesday. The Mets lost Thursday’s contest 7-3. Lehigh Valley (34-42) looks to even the series after splitting the previous two games.

Two pitchers who excelled in Wednesday’s game are set to be in the spotlight again. Syracuse right-hander Felipe De La Cruz allowed one hit and struck out three over 2 1/3 scoreless innings in that win. In his previous outing June 18 against Norfolk, he surrendered two runs on two hits in two innings but earned the victory. De La Cruz has been effective in relief for the Mets this season.

Lehigh Valley’s Brian Keller started Wednesday and took a hard-luck loss despite throwing six shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out five. The IronPigs’ bullpen could not hold the lead after Keller departed. Keller has been a workhorse recently, pitching at least four innings in each of his last four outings. He allowed two earned runs in four innings against Worcester on June 18 and three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 10.

The Mets have been productive at the plate in recent wins. In Wednesday’s game, Syracuse relievers Ben Simon and Ofreidy Gómez combined for four innings of one-run ball. The Mets’ offense scored five runs, building on a 9-6 victory Tuesday.

Lehigh Valley’s offense rebounded Thursday with seven runs. Michael Mercado tossed a scoreless inning in relief Wednesday, and catcher Paul McIntosh homered and drove in a run in that contest.

The series has been competitive. Syracuse won five of the previous six meetings before Thursday, including three of four in Allentown from April 28-May 3. The IronPigs took the series opener Thursday after dropping the first two games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 Syracuse victory.

After Friday’s game, the teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday at Coca-Cola Park. Syracuse then returns home for a six-game homestand against Worcester, while Lehigh Valley travels to Rochester for a six-game set.