Tarpons at Mets preview

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Tarpons will try to extend their winning streak against the St. Lucie Mets when the teams meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Clover Park.

Tampa (43-34) has won three of its last four meetings against St. Lucie, including consecutive 6-0 shutouts Wednesday and Thursday. The Tarpons enter the game with a .558 winning percentage, while the Mets (35-40) have dropped five of their last six contests.

Right-hander Thatcher Hurd is scheduled to start for Tampa. In his last outing Wednesday against the Mets, he allowed one hit and struck out six over five scoreless innings in a 6-0 victory. Hurd has surrendered one earned run over his past 13 2/3 innings, striking out 24 batters across his last three starts.

Left-hander Jose Guevara is expected to take the mound for St. Lucie. Guevara took the loss Wednesday against Tampa, allowing four hits and two earned runs with five strikeouts over four innings.

The Tarpons have won seven of their last eight games. Outfielder Logan Maxwell has been a key contributor, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday’s win.

Tampa’s offense has averaged 6.5 runs per game during its recent hot stretch. The Tarpons have recorded shutouts in three of their last four contests.

St. Lucie has struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer runs in four of its last six games. The Mets’ bullpen has allowed 12 earned runs over its past 12 2/3 innings.

The teams will conclude their six-game series Saturday and Sunday before Tampa returns home to host Clearwater.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-3 Tampa victory.