New York @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2013 ) NY Mets 2, Pittsburgh 3
The Pittsburgh Pirates are attempting to put forth a strong finish to their impressive first half of the season. The Pirates will vie for their third straight win on Saturday, when they play the second contest of a three-game series against the visiting New York Mets. Jordy Mercer wristed an RBI single up the middle with two outs in the 11th inning as Pittsburgh scratched out a 3-2 triumph in the series opener on Friday.
After the PNC Park faithful booed David Wright for his initial snub of Pedro Alvarez in the upcoming Home Run Derby, the latter belted a two-run shot to extend his hitting streak to nine games. "It’s cool that they’re upset and passionate about it. It made for a nice atmosphere," Wright said of the fans' reaction. Wright increased his hitting streak to 12 contests, but the Mets saw their four-game winning stretch come to an end.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX, SNY (New York), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Carlos Torres (0-1, 0.51 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (4-6, 3.05)
With All-Star Matt Harvey briefly sidelined due to the blister on his right index finger, Torres will make his first start since Aug. 3, 2010. The 30-year-old had been stingy out of the bullpen prior to his last outing. Torres yielded an unearned run and four hits in two innings in a no-decision versus San Francisco on Tuesday.
Burnett returned from the disabled list to allow two runs and three hits in five innings en route to a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The 36-year-old has struggled with his control, issuing multiple walks in each of his last six outings. Burnett owns a 5-6 career mark versus the Mets but has held them to a .199 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh LF Starling Marte, who went 2-for-4 in the series opener, has recorded multi-hit performances in five of his last eight contests.
2. Wright has struggled against Burnett, going 3-for-18 with eight strikeouts.
3. Pittsburgh acquired INF/OF Russ Canzler from Baltimore for RHP Tim Alderson. The Pirates promptly optioned Canzler to Triple-A Indianapolis.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Mets 1