Pittsburgh @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 5, NY Mets 6

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are to contend in the National League Central, they will have to do better than their 34-47 mark on the road last season. The Pirates will try to improve on their 8-8 mark away from home in 2013 when they visit the New York Mets to start a four-game series Thursday. The Pirates have cooled off overall, losing five of their last eight games. Andrew McCutchen has been red hot of late for Pittsburgh, though, going 14-for-32 over the last eight games with six RBIs.

The Mets are trying to hang around in the playoff race, but will need pitchers such as Thursday’s scheduled starter Dillon Gee to come through. Daniel Murphy, captain David Wright, John Buck and Lucas Duda have each had their share of big hits for New York, but a revival from Ike Davis would help. Davis is batting .170 with four homers.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (3-1, 3.21 ERA) vs. Mets RH Dillon Gee (2-4, 6.16)

Locke has not lost since April 7, earning three victories in his last five starts. The 25-year-old has allowed one run or fewer in three of his six outings and surrendered only three earned runs in his last three turns over 18 innings. Locke has struggled with control, walking 16 in 33 2/3 innings. He is 0-1 in one appearance against the Mets, giving up five runs in 3 2/3 innings. Ruben Tejada is 3-for-3 against Locke.

Gee has won two of his last three starts, getting the victory at Miami on May 1 by allowing four runs and nine hits over five innings. Opponents are batting .312 against the right-hander and he has given up four or more runs in four of six starts. Gee has pitched well against the Pirates, going 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts. McCutchen is only 1-of-9 with three strikeouts against Gee.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets were 5-2 against the Pirates last season, including 3-1 at home.

2. Pirates closer Jason Grilli and set-up man Mark Melancon have allowed two runs in 31 innings combined.

3. Mets ace Matt Harvey owns four wins and 58 strikeouts while the other four current starters have combined for four and 70.

PREDICTION: Pirates 6, Mets 5