Mets at Pirates
A three-week tear not only has the Pittsburgh Pirates in the thick of the wild-card race but they have also moved into contention in the National League Central, trailing the first-place Chicago Cubs by six games. Winners of 15 of their last 18 contests, the Pirates look to make it three straight over the visiting New York Mets in Sunday's finale of a four-game set.
Despite a patchwork lineup missing Corey Dickerson and Josh Bell, who both went on the disabled list Saturday, Pittsburgh beat major-league ERA leader Jacob deGrom 5-0 on Saturday night. Second baseman Adam Frazier had an RBI double among three hits against deGrom and is 6-for-11 with four doubles in four games since he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. The Mets have already traded closer Jeurys Familia and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, and the next to go could be right-hander Zack Wheeler, who will get the starting nod in Sunday's game. “He is a hard guy to replace,” New York manager Mickey Callaway told reporters. “That is why if they trade him, it will really have to be worth it, and I think they will do the right thing in that regard.”
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (4-6, 4.33 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (4-4, 3.90)
Wheeler has been linked to trade rumors and he has bolstered his value with a string of strong outings, including seven innings of two-run ball to beat San Diego on Tuesday. He also won his previous turn by giving up four runs - two on a late homer - over 7 2/3 innings against Washington to help extend his unbeaten streak to five starts. Wheeler owns a 2.08 ERA in a pair of career no-decisions against Pittsburgh.
Musgrove worked at least seven innings for the third time in four starts at Cleveland on Tuesday, picking up the victory by holding the Indians to two runs on five hits. He is 0-4 in his last five home starts after giving up five runs on seven hits over 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus Milwaukee on July 15. Musgrove, who has never started a game against the Mets but won one relief appearance, owns a 4.95 ERA at PNC Park and a 1.80 mark on the road this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates RF Gregory Polanco is 5-for-9 over the past two games.
2. Mets OF-3B Jose Bautista is 5-for-16 during a four-game hitting streak.
3. Pittsburgh called up OF Austin Meadows and INF/OF Jose Osuna to replace Bell (oblique) and Dickerson (hamstring).