The New York Mets (16-13, first place in the National League’s eastern division), coming off a home three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks,  will next host manager Brandon Hyde‘s Baltimore Orioles (16-19, fifth place in the American League’s eastern division) in a brief two-game series at Citi Field.

It was an interesting weekend for the Mets, filled with three wins,  stories of rats and raccoons, and an injury to their ace, Jacob deGrom. Fortunately, the rodent matter has been put to rest, and deGrom’s injury does not appear to be serious, though it will require a stint on the injured list.

The series with the Orioles will offer a different type on intrigue, as old friend Matt Harvey will take the mound on Wednesday afternoon, the first time he’s pitched in Queens since he was traded in May of 2018.

There will be no weather issues for this series, as fair weather is expected with temperatures slightly cooler than normal for mid-May.

Let’s take a look at the projected pitching matchups for the series.

Tuesday, May 11, LHP John Means BAL vs RHP Marcus Stroman (3-3) NYM, 7:10 pm

Means in 2021: GS: 7, ERA: 1.37, WHIP: 0.67,  IP: 46.0, H: 21, BB: 10, SO: 50,  ER: 7, HR: 5

Last 3 starts: April 25 vs. OAK (W, 6.1IP, 1ER), April 30 vs. OAK (W,  7.0IP, 2ER), May 5 vs. SEA (W, 9.0IP, 0ER)

Stroman in 2021: GS: 6, ERA: 2.12, WHIP: 1.03,  IP: 34.0, H: 28, BB: 7, SO: 29,  ER: 8, HR: 3

Last 3 starts: April 24 vs. WSH (L, 4.0IP, 4ER), April 30 vs. PHI (L,  5.0IP, 0ER), May 5 vs. STL (L, 5.0IP, 2ER)

In his last start, Means tossed complete game, no-hitter against the Mariners in Seattle. He is in his fourth season, and has a career record of 18-15 with an ERA of 3.48 and a 1.03 WHIP. He features a fastball that he throws 51% of the time, and a changeup that he throws 29% of the time. He also throws a curve and a slider.

Stroman has lost three starts in a row, though he has not pitched poorly. In his start in Philadelphia, he lost when two runs crossed the plate on a passed ball with two outs and the bases loaded. In that game, Stroman left after five innings with hamstring tightness. He rebounded to pitch on regular rest in St.Louis, and reported no issues with the hamstring.

The game can be seen locally on SNY and heard locally on WCBS radio 880 a.m.

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, May 12, RHP Matt Harvey (3-2) BAL vs RHP Taijuan Walker (2-1) NYM, 12:10 pm

Harvey in 2021: GS: 7, ERA: 3.60, WHIP: 1.29,  IP: 35.0, H: 35, BB: 10, SO: 25,  ER: 14, HR: 3

Last 3 starts: April 26 vs. NYY (W, 6.0IP, 1ER), May 1 vs. OAK (W,  5.2IP, 2ER), May 7 vs. BOS (L, 4.0IP, 0ER)

Walker in 2021: GS: 6, ERA: 2.38, WHIP: 1.03,  IP: 34.0, H: 20, BB: 15, SO: 35,  ER: 9, HR: 1

Last 3 starts: April 25 vs. WSH (W, 7.0IP, 0ER), May 1 vs. PHI (ND,  6.0IP, 4ER), May 6 vs. STL (W, 7.0IP, 0ER)

Harvey is having a fine season thus far. He is no longer a strikeout pitcher throwing his fastball in the high 90s, but he has found a way to be effective with the “stuff” he has after Tommy John surgery and surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Harvey now throws his fastball 61% of the time, his slider 20% of the time, and equally splits the remaining mix with his curve and changeup.

Harvey’s tenure with the Mets was marked by some incredible highs (“Harvey Day”, starting the All Star game at Citi Field, to name two), and some lows (being suspended in 2017 for not showing up for a game, and showing up late for a post season workout in 2015).

In his return to the Mets in 2015 after missing all of 2014 with Tommy John surgery, he went 13-8, including a scintillating performance in Game Five of the World Series. Harvey should receive a welcoming ovation from the crowd on Wednesday.

Walker has been an excellent find for the Mets. He signed just before spring training, and has pitched very well. He’s had four good starts, and two less effective ones, with one coming on a frigid night in Chicago, and the other when he was unable to hold a 4-0 lead against the Phillies.

The game can be seen locally on SNY and heard locally on WCBS radio 880 a.m.

Series Notes for Mets 

Mets by the numbers, with MLB rankings:

BA .233 (15th)

OBP .328 (4th)

SLG .349 (29th)

OPS .677 (22nd)

Team ERA 2.99 (2nd)

Starters’ ERA 2.96 (2nd)

Relievers’ ERA 3.04 (5th)

Mets OPS leaders are Brandon Nimmo (.870), Pete Alonso (.824), Michael Conforto (.734)

Francisco Lindor is now slashing .194/.315/.272

Jacob deGrom will be placed on the injured list because of tightness in his right side.

Brandon Nimmo, Luis Guillorme,  and J.D. Davis are on the 10-day injured list. Nimmo and Davis are eligible to come off this week, and will likely do so. Guillorme is eligible to return, but is not yet close to being ready according to reports.

Series Notes for Orioles (stats through games of May 9)

Orioles by the numbers, with MLB rankings:

BA .229 (20th)

OBP .291 (27th)

SLG .374 (22nd)

OPS .665 (26th)

Team ERA 4.13 (16th)

Starters’ ERA 4.68 (23rd)

Relievers’ ERA 3.43 (8th)

Orioles OPS leaders are Cedric Mullins (.906), Freddy Galvis (.845), Austin Hays (.787)

Right fielder Anthony Santander is on the 10-day injured list with an ankle sprain. He has been sidelined since April 21.

The Mets will be facing the Orioles’ top two starting pitchers in this series. The Orioles also have a strong bullpen. However, they’re not a great offensive team, and are hampered with Santander on the injured list. Stroman and Walker have pitched well for New York, and may be able to keep the Orioles guessing, which may lead to two low-scoring games.

The Mets have won five games in a row, and will look to keep rolling at home before heading out on a long road trip to Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Miami.