New York @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 6, 2016 ) NY Mets 0, Pittsburgh 0

The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets both are sitting in second place in their respective National League divisions and looking to move up, though neither team appears to be at the top of its game of late. Both clubs got an unscheduled day off with Monday’s rainout and the Pirates will be looking to bounce back from a stretch in which they have lost five of six when they host the Mets in a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh was on the verge of a series win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday before squandering a three-run lead and absorbing a 5-4 loss. The Mets are coming off their own one-run loss – 1-0 at Miami – and are losers of five of their last eight to fall two games behind Washington in the NL East. New York’s problem is on offense, as the team is averaging just 2.6 runs in its last eight contests while totaling eight in five losses over that span. The Pirates aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard but did show some signs of breaking out with a total of 12 runs in their last two games, while Jung Ho Kang added two more hits on Sunday and is 6-for-16 with two home runs, three doubles and four RBIs in four contests this month to lead Pittsburgh's attack.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, SNY (New York), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.62 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Juan Nicasio (4-4, 4.75)

DeGrom failed to record the win in any of his last six starts despite allowing three earned runs or fewer in five of those outings. The Stetson product allowed a total of two runs and eight hits while striking out 17 in 14 innings over his last two turns – both no-decisions. DeGrom’s career record against the Pirates tells a similar story, with no decisions despite a total of two runs surrendered over 13 2/3 frames.

Nicasio has a pair of top prospects – right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon – breathing down his neck for the No. 5 spot in the rotation and is just 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA over his last five turns. The 29-year-old Dominican turned in the lone quality start in that span last time out, when he held Miami to three runs in six innings. Nicasio has done his best work this season at PNC Park and owns a 4-1 record with a 3.49 ERA in front of the home fans.

WALK-OFFS

1. Walker is batting .279 with 13 home runs for the Mets and is operating out of the cleanup spot in the order with 1B Lucas Duda and 3B David Wright on the disabled list.

2. Pirates LF Starling Marte is 7-for-12 in his last three games.

3. New York OF Yoenis Cespedes (hip) was limited to pinch-hitting duty on Sunday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Mets 8, Pirates 2