New York @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( May 12, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 3, NY Mets 2
While the first half of the season has been an unmitigated success for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the club has struggled through some offensive doldrums. After busting out of one such stretch to snap a four-game losing streak, the Pirates will look to ride that positive momentum on Friday, when they open a three-game series against the visiting New York Mets. Pittsburgh mustered six runs during its skid prior to erupting for a 5-0 triumph to salvage the finale of a three-game set with Oakland on Wednesday.
Runs may be at a premium for the Pirates when they face New York's Jeremy Hefner. The right-hander has been downright stingy over the last five-plus weeks, posting an ERA of 1.64 since June 4. Offense hasn't been the issue for the Mets, who scored 21 runs to extend their winning streak to four following a sweep of struggling San Francisco.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (4-6, 3.39 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Charlie Morton (1-2, 3.38)
Hefner continued his stunning turnaround from a difficult start to the season Sunday by posting a win for the third time in four outings. The 27-year-old, who has yielded one earned run in six of his last seven turns, did so on just two hits over seven innings against Milwaukee. Hefner won his lone career start versus Pittsburgh on Sept. 26, striking out seven over as many scoreless innings.
Morton couldn't overcome surrendering his first two homers of the season en route to a 4-1 setback to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The 29-year-old has struggled in five career appearances against the Mets, recording an 0-2 mark with a 4.50 ERA and .344 batting average against. Morton has issued eight of his nine walks this season in his last three trips to the mound.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York OF Marlon Byrd has collected 10 hits - three homers - during his five-game hitting streak. Byrd, however, is just 1-for-9 lifetime against Morton.
2. Pittsburgh won the last three contests of a four-game set at Citi Field on May.
3. Mets 3B David Wright, who is riding an 11-game hitting streak, has one double in seven career at-bats versus Morton.
PREDICTION: Mets 4, Pirates 2