San Francisco @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2017 ) NY Mets 8, San Francisco 2

The San Francisco Giants attempt to halt their four-game losing streak and remain relevant in the National League playoff picture when they visit the New York Mets on Monday for the opener of their four-game series. San Francisco began its 10-game road trip with back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Dodgers, but dropped the series finale before getting swept in three straight contests at Cincinnati.

Sunday's 11-4 setback pushed the Giants eight games behind first-place Arizona in the NL West and 7 1/2 out in the race for the second wild card. Despite being outscored 20-6 by the Reds, San Francisco received a solid offensive effort from Joe Panik, who went 2-for-4 in each of the three contests. New York returns home from an 11-game, five-city road trip that concluded with an 8-2 triumph over Philadelphia in the MLB Little League Classic at Williamsport, Pa. on Sunday. Amed Rosario recorded three hits and three RBIs as the Mets completed their 7-4 trek by taking three of five from the Phillies.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (6-8, 3.83 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (8-6, 3.75)

Holland is unbeaten in five turns since rejoining the rotation but has recorded just one victory in that stretch despite allowing more than two runs in just one of the outings - the lone win, in which he yielded five runs and 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings versus Pittsburgh on Aug. 10. The four no-decisions during that stretch all took place on the road, including one against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday in which the 31-year-old native of Ohio scattered six hits over 4 2/3 scoreless frames. Holland lost his only career start versus the Mets on June 26, 2011, when he was tagged for seven runs - three earned - and 12 hits over six innings while with Texas.

Wheeler is riding a nine-start unbeaten streak and has won each of his last six, including one at Baltimore on Wednesday in which he allowed one run and five hits over five innings. The 28-year-old Georgian, who was drafted sixth overall by San Francisco in 2009, has permitted fewer than three runs on seven occasions and served up only three homers in 57 2/3 frames during his streak. Wheeler is 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four career starts against his former organization.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 3B David Wright (back/neck/shoulder) went 2-for-3 for Single-A St. Lucie on Sunday after going hitless over 14 at-bats in the first five games of his rehab assignment.

2. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt batted leadoff on Sunday, becoming the team's first player at that position to hit in that spot since David Bell on July 6, 2002.

3. New York OF Brandon Nimmo (finger) was kept out of the starting lineup for a third straight day on Sunday and hopes to avoid a trip to the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Giants 3