Pirates-Mets Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Monday when they take on the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. The Pirates will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Zach Duke in this game. Duke has a 4-10 record and a 5.13 ERA this season. The Mets will counter Duke with Pedro Martinez. Righthander Martinez has a 5.79 ERA to go along with a 3-3 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Pirates lost to Philadelphia 6-3 as a +200 underdog on Sunday. The nine runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5). Jason Michaels had a pair of RBI for the Pirates and Jason Davis gave up two unearned runs in six innings. The Mets lost to Florida 8-2 as a -130 favorite on Sunday. The 10 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9). Jose Reyes was 2-4 with an RBI for New York, while Mike Pelfry took the loss after giving up six runs in four 2-3 innings. Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Pittsburgh: 53-64 SU New York: 62-55 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Cincinnati are 4-6 After playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After a loss are 4-6 New York most recently: When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing Washington are 5-5 After playing Florida are 6-4 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing NY Mets The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Mets The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh NY Mets are 15-4 SU in its last 19 games at home The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games at home Next up: Pittsburgh home to Cincinnati, Tuesday, August 12 NY Mets at Washington, Tuesday, August 12