San Diego @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2013 ) San Diego 2, NY Mets 11

Despite posting 11 runs Monday to open the season, the New York Mets will likely depend on its promising young pitching staff to be competitive. Matt Harvey could be the key piece to that puzzle and the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft gets his first start of 2013 on Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres. Harvey looks to match Jon Niese’s strong outing Monday. The Mets pounded out 13 hits to back Niese, but only one combined from Nos. 3 and 4 hitters David Wright and Ike Davis.

San Diego managed four hits in the opener and was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Three of the hits came from Nos. 3-5 in the lineup, including a solo home run by clean-up hitter Yonder Alonso. The Padres are expecting a lot from rookie second baseman Jedd Gyorko, who doubled in his major league debut Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, SNY (New York).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (2012: 14-14, 3.99 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (2012: 3-5, 2.73)

Richard pitched a career-high 218 2/3 innings in 2012 and matched his top victory total. The left-hander was especially good in the final two months, winning seven of eight decisions before dropping the last two. Richard is 2-1 lifetime against the Mets with a 2.84 ERA over 31 2/3 innings, splitting a pair of starts last season. New York hitters are batting .265 against Richard.

Harvey was impressive in the first 10 starts of his career in 2012, allowing two or less earned runs in eight of them. His worst outing was against San Diego on Aug. 5, surrendering eight hits and five runs, including homers to Chase Headley and Alonso. Harvey won’t have to face Headley, who is out with a fractured left thumb. The 24-year-old struck out 70 in 59 1/3 innings a year ago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets SS Ruben Tejada was 2-for-4 in the opener with an RBI after batting .096 during spring training.

2. San Diego closer Huston Street allowed five earned runs in 9 1/3 innings during spring training after saving 23-of-24 last season.

3. New York reliever Scott Rice made his major league debut Monday after 14 seasons in the minors, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Padres 3