Miami @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2018 ) Miami 3, Pittsburgh 5

The Pittsburgh Pirates can climb back to .500 and remain perfect on their homestand when they continue a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh has answered a 3-9 tailspin by rattling off four consecutive wins, including a come-from-behind, 5-3 victory over the Marlins in Friday night's series opener.

Jordan Luplow entered Friday's game as a pinch runner for an injured Gregory Polanco and delivered a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning -- his first blast since July 14. Kevin Kramer, in his first major-league start for the Pirates, went 2-for-4 with an RBI single that preceded Luplow's homer. Lewis Brinson accounted for all of Miami's runs with a three-run homer and finished a triple shy of the cycle. Brinson has hit safely in all six games since coming off the disabled list and is 13-for-32 during an eight-game hitting streak.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Florida (Miami), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (6-9, 4.64 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (7-9, 4.35)

Chen is coming off a superb performance against Toronto, permitting one run and three hits while striking out seven in a season-high eight innings. He also won his previous turn with 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings against Atlanta and has surrendered a combined five earned runs over his last five outings. Francisco Cervilli is 3-for-7 against Chen, who is 1-6 with a 9.35 ERA in 10 road starts.

Nova missed his last turn while attending to a personal matter so he should be well rested as he attempts to halt a three-start losing streak. He lasted 3 2/3 innings at St. Louis on Aug. 28, giving up four runs on six hits, but turned in quality starts in his previous three outings. Nova won at Miami with 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball on April 15 to improve to 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Polanco extended his hitting streak to seven games before leaving with discomfort in his left knee and shoulder following an awkward slide.

2. Marlins RH Dan Straily left Friday's start with a left oblique strain.

3. Pirates 1B Josh Bell had a two-run homer Friday for his first RBIs since Aug. 11.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Pirates 3