New York @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2018 ) Pittsburgh 5, NY Mets 3

Although they had a number of winning streaks snapped in the finale of a three-game set in Cleveland on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates resume their drive for a wild-card berth when they open a nine-game homestand with the first of four against the New York Mets on Thursday night. Pittsburgh had ripped off 11 straight wins before dropping a 4-0 decision to the Indians on Wednesday.

The Pirates' main concern as they return home is health as Corey Dickerson sat out Wednesday with a strained hamstring while Starling Marte left the game after he was hit on the left hand by a pitch. Marte, who entered Wednesday's game with a National League-leading 20 RBIs in July, told MLB.com he felt better but he will undergo further testing on Thursday. While Pittsburgh also had eight-game interleague and five-game road winning streaks halted, the Mets put an end to a dubious string of futility as Wednesday's 6-4 win over San Diego ended a 17-series winless drought (0-11-6). Yet, New York's first series win since May 18-20 was tempered by the news that slugger Yoenis Cespedes will undergo season-ending surgeries on both heels.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (4-8, 3.65 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Nick Kingham (5-4, 4.11)

Matz is mired in a three-start losing streak after yielding five runs and nine hits over five-plus innings at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. He recorded quality starts in each of his previous two turns, going 6 1/3 innings both times and permitting a combined four runs on 13 hits. Josh Harrison is 3-for-6 against Matz, who tossed seven innings of three-run ball in a no-decision versus the Pirates on June 26.

Kingham has posted three straight quality starts and won each of them after giving up two runs and four hits over 6 1/3 innings at Cincinnati on Saturday. The 26-year-old rookie also won his previous two turns - both at home - but has struggled with the long ball, surrendering seven homers over his last four starts. Kingham, who has never faced the Mets, owns a 3-1 record and 2.90 ERA in five starts at PNC Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates have won six in a row and eight of nine at home.

2. Mets RF Jose Bautista hit his 339th homer Wednesday, tying him for 99th place on the all-time list.

3. Marte has hit safely in 17 straight games while Dickerson is 13-for-27 over a six-game string.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Mets 3