Mets At Toronto Blue Jays: Series Preview TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

After a pair of two-game series, the New York Mets return to action Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays in a more traditional three-game slate at the Rogers Centre. This will be the first taste of interleague action this season for both teams.

The Mets are fresh off a pair of splits. The first against the Milwaukee Brewers and then wrapped up the week with the Cincinnati Reds, including a 9-4 come from behind victory Thursday afternoon.

The Blue Jays are also fresh off back-to-back short meetings, the first being swept by the Minnesota Twins and the second a sweep of their own against the New York Yankees.

This is the first time these two teams have met since 2006 when the Willie Randolph-led Mets took two-of-three from the Blue Jays. That matchup lined up with the history between these two franchises considering New York has dominated the series winning 14-of-18.

Hoping to keep up the Mets winning ways against the Blue Jays, manager Terry Collins proposed a hockey theme for his squad as they headed north of the border. Each player (and announcer Howie Rose) wore an NHL jersey on their way to the team plane.

Entering play on Friday, both teams find themselves in third place in their respective divisions. The Mets are sitting behind the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, while the Blue Jays are looking up at the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays.

Taking the ball for Terry Collins in the first game is lefty Jonathan Niese (2-1, 3.40 ERA). He tossed a gem last time out against the Miami Marlins (five hits, no runs over six innings) but ended up with a no decision after the bullpen melted down.

Toronto will counter with Ricky Romero (4-1, 3.38 ERA), fresh off one of his weaker starts of the season. Against the Minnesota Twins, Romero gave up five runs on nine hits and couldn't get out of the sixth inning while suffering his first loss of the season.

You can watch all the action locally on SNY or listen on WFAN 660 with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 p.m.