Chicago @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( May 7, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 0, NY Mets 1

It will be very difficult for the New York Mets to match Tuesday’s pitching performance by Matt Harvey, but they will settle for another win. Jeremy Hefner heads to the mound as the Mets go for their fourth victory in five contests in the second of a two-game set against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Harvey shut out the White Sox on one hit over nine innings before the Mets won 1-0 in the 10th in the first-ever game in New York between the two franchises.

The White Sox have lost six of their last nine and were shut out for the second time in four games. Chicago will need more from slugger Adam Dunn, who had 41 homers in 2012, if it is to turn things around. Dunn is batting .145 with six blasts and is 3-for-22 the last six contests. Paul Konerko should be back in the lineup for the Sox after getting Tuesday off.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Jake Peavy (3-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (0-3, 4.34)

Peavy returns to the mound after missing his last two turns due to back issues. The veteran right-hander beat the Tampa Bay Rays in his latest outing on April 26, allowing six hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings. Peavy has given up one earned run in three of his five starts. He is 5-2 lifetime against the Mets with a 3.48 ERA in 10 starts. John Buck is 3-for-6 with a pair of homers against Peavy.

Hefner has surrendered two or less runs in three of five starts and received no reward. The right-hander pitched eight shutout innings in his last outing before losing 2-1 in the ninth inning at Miami on April 30. Hefner has had some problems with the home run ball, giving up seven in 29 innings. The 27-year-old, who has never faced the White Sox, allowed only 24 hits in that span.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox, who made the least errors in the majors last season (70), have committed eight in the last nine games.

2. Mets captain David Wright had his streak of three straight games with a homer snapped Tuesday.

3. Chicago is batting .223 as a team and owns a .276 on-base percentage – both last in the majors.

PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Mets 1