AP Sports Preview

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Syracuse Mets open a doubleheader Thursday evening at NBT Bank Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled under a forecast of 46-degree rain.

Lehigh Valley (16-12) enters as the visiting team for Game 1 of the twin bill, holding a four-game edge over .500. Syracuse (14-14) sits at the break-even mark after splitting its last six contests.

Third baseman Carter Kieboom has been the IronPigs’ most consistent bat. In Tuesday’s 10-4 loss to Syracuse, Kieboom went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Over his last 10 games, he is batting .333 with six extra-base hits, including a 3-for-5 performance April 19 at St. Paul.

Syracuse counters with center fielder A.J. Ewing, who also shined in Tuesday’s win. Ewing collected three hits in four at-bats with two RBI, extending his recent hot streak. He has reached base in four of his last five starts.

The Mets took Tuesday’s matchup 10-4, powered by Christian Arroyo’s two-run homer and three RBI. Syracuse starter Carlos Guzman worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in that game.

Lehigh Valley’s Alan Rangel allowed four earned runs over five innings Tuesday, while Daniel Harper tossed a scoreless frame.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 Lehigh Valley victory, but the weather could favor pitchers on a damp, chilly evening.

The IronPigs are 5-2 in their last seven games, including a four-game series win over Durham last weekend. Syracuse is 3-3 in its last six, having dropped two of three at Worcester before returning home.

The doubleheader continues a four-game series that runs through Sunday. Lehigh Valley then hosts Buffalo for five games starting May 5, while Syracuse welcomes Rochester for a five-game homestand the same day.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.