The Mets will be hoping for signs of a turnaround from Johan Santana this afternoon when their struggling ace takes the mound against the Rays in interleague action at Citi Field. Santana is coming off the worst performance of his career last Sunday in The Bronx, where he allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and two walks in just three-plus innings of a 15-0 embarrassment at the hands of the Yankees.

Santana also is nursing a 6.50 ERA over his past six starts, including an outing earlier this month against the Phillies in which he allowed a career-high four homers.

The left-hander is no stranger to the Rays, having faced them 11 times as a member of the Twins. He is 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA against Tampa Bay in seven starts and four relief appearances.

Santana will square off against right-hander James Shields, who was a standout last season but is just 5-5 with a 3.52 ERA this year. Shields, who has won two of his past three decisions, has never faced the Mets.

Here is the 34-31 Mets’ order for the 4:10 p.m. game:

Alex Cora SS

Daniel Murphy 1B

Carlos Beltran CF

David Wright 3B

Ryan Church RF

Jeremy Reed LF

Omir Santos C

Luis Castillo 2B

Johan Santana LHP (8-4, 3.29)

Santana’s numbers against the Rays’ hitters