Pittsburgh @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2014 ) Pittsburgh 3, San Francisco 1

The Pittsburgh Pirates were eight games under .500 on May 20 but could find themselves in a tie for first place in the National League Central by the end of the day Wednesday. Pittsburgh, which trails division-leading Milwaukee by one game, looks to complete a three-game sweep of the host San Francisco Giants and extend its winning streak to four games. The Pirates have won eight of 11 since the All-Star break to move a season-high eight games above .500.

The Giants opened the second half with wins in five of their first six games but they have dropped six straight since to match their longest losing streak of the season. San Francisco has scored only six runs during the six-game skid and has managed one run and 10 hits in the first two games against Pittsburgh. One subplot for the series finale is the Pirates' reported interest in trading for Boston left-hander Jon Lester, who was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT (Pittsburgh), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Charlie Morton (5-10, 3.40 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (9-7, 3.96)

Morton's struggles away from home resurfaced in his last start at Colorado, when he was roughed up for four runs over six innings to fall to 2-7 in 12 road starts. The 30-year-old sinkerballer has won only once since June 14 despite permitting two or fewer earned runs in four of his last six outings. Morton, who has pitched at least six innings in nine straight starts, is 3-4 with a 2.51 ERA in his career against San Francisco.

Lincecum was battered for six runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday - his first clunker since no-hitting San Diego on June 25. The two-time Cy Young Award winner had yielded a mere four runs in 37 1/3 innings before getting shelled by the Dodgers. Lincecum has struggled against the Pirates throughout his career, logging a 2-4 record and 4.88 ERA in eight starts against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates have won 16 straight games when scoring in the first inning - one shy of the franchise record set in 1928.

2. Giants RHP Matt Cain is scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday for a second opinion on his ailing elbow.

3. Pirates 3B Josh Harrison has homered in three straight games.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Pirates 2