Miami @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2013 ) Miami 2, Pittsburgh 4

Rookie pitcher Jose Fernandez put on a show in winning each of his last three starts, striking out 35 batters in 23 innings. Fernandez looks to extend his streak as the Miami Marlins try to salvage the finale of the three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Fernandez struck out 13 in a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh on July 28 and has been a big part of a Miami starting staff that limited opponents to three or fewer runs in 40 of the last 45 games.

The Pirates have won four straight to push their lead in the National League Central to three games over the St. Louis Cardinals. All-Star Andrew McCutchen recorded at least two hits and one RBI in his last five contests to lead Pittsburgh. The Pirates continue to receive solid work from their bullpen, which boasts a 2.91 ERA and has shut out Miami in 5 1/3 innings during the series.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (8-5, 2.54 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (5-5. 3.69)

Fernandez continues to build a case for Rookie of the Year honors, limiting opponents to a .190 batting average with 138 strikeouts over 127 2/3 innings. The 21-year-old became the first pitcher to fan 13-plus in two straight outings since Randy Johnson (2004) after blanking Cleveland over eight innings last Friday. Fernandez yielded two runs in eight innings in his victory over Pittsburgh.

Cole has given up three runs or fewer in his first 10 career starts, but has been the loser in five of his last six – including one against Miami. The first overall pick in the 2011 draft allowed three runs over seven innings in a 3-2 setback to Fernandez and the Marlins on July 28. Giancarlo Stanton is 2-for-2 with a homer against Cole, who has surrendered 54 hits in 61 innings overall.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh has won the most home games in the majors (40) while the Marlins have the least number of road victories (17).

2. Pirates 2B Neil Walker is 8-for-20 with three doubles in five games against Miami this season.

3. Miami pitchers have limited opponents to a .234 batting average since to All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Marlins 2, Pirates 1