Miami @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 2, Miami 3

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best record in baseball at 67-44, but the young Miami Marlins took two of three from them in late July. The Pirates look for revenge when they host the Marlins, who have the least wins (43) in the National League, in a three-game set beginning Tuesday. Pittsburgh is 6-2 since the series at Miami while taking over first place in the National League Central, led by a pitching staff which boasts the best ERA (3.07) in the majors.

Andrew McCutchen went 6-for-10 in the last three games against Colorado as the Pirates enjoy a two-game lead over second-place St. Louis in the Central. The Marlins are 3-4 since holding Pittsburgh to a pair of runs combined in two wins and have not allowed a homer in a franchise-record 12 games. Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton managed only one hit in his last 22 at-bats.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (2-1, 2.61 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (9-3, 2.36)

Alvarez earned the victory in his first meeting with the Pirates on July 26, pitching six scoreless innings. The 23-year-old, acquired from Toronto in the off-season, allowed only four runs over 27 innings in his last four starts and won both decisions. Russell Martin is 2-for-12 with a home run and four strikeouts against Alvarez, who has yielded 35 hits in 38 innings overall.

Locke was outdueled by Alvarez on July 26, giving up two runs in 6 2/3 innings during the 2-0 defeat. The left-hander, who was picked for the National League All Star team, has not been as good over the last four starts, surrendering nine runs in 23 2/3 frames. Stanton is 2-for-2 with a homer against Locke, who is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in two career starts versus Miami.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami was swept in three games during its last visit to Pittsburgh, scoring only four runs combined July 20-22, 2012.

2. Pittsburgh has registered 40 saves – second in the majors behind Baltimore (42) – after totaling 45 in 2012.

3. Miami’s starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs in 38 of their last 43 games – two or fewer 30 times.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Marlins 2