New York @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 11, 2015 ) San Francisco 4, NY Mets 5

Following an 0-6 road trip, the San Francisco Giants return home Monday to begin a three-game series against the New York Mets. The Giants will actually arrive in San Francisco about six hours before Monday night’s game after staying Sunday night in Washington, D.C., where they were outscored 14-5 by the Nationals in three games over the weekend.

The Mets broke out of a lengthy offensive slump with 15 hits in Sunday’s 8-0 victory against the Dodgers and saw Wilmer Flores reinforce his claim as the club's regular second baseman. Flores had a career-high four hits along with three RBI in the victory and went 10-for-13 during the three-game series. The Giants have struggled without right fielder Hunter Pence (strained wrist tendon), but the team’s emotional leader took batting practice Sunday and could return before the end of the month. Center fielder Angel Pagan returned to the starting lineup Sunday after missing Saturday’s contest, but his swollen left knee remains a concern.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathon Niese (3-8, 3.90 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Heston (8-5, 3.78)

Niese’s winless streak reached a career-high nine starts against the Cubs on Tuesday despite yielding one run over seven innings in a 1-0 loss. “It's tough,” Niese told reporters. “It’s tough to swallow, but you’ve got to be professional about it. You've got to forget about it and not worry about it.” Brandon Crawford is 5-for-12 with a home run against the 28-year-old, who is 1-3 with a 2.92 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against the Giants.

Heston is facing the Mets for the first time since tossing a no-hitter against them on June 9, when he struck out 11 in the Giants’ 5-0 victory. The 27-year-old rookie has been a revelation for the Giants while yielding three runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts. Heston, who is making his second career start against the Mets, owns a 3.12 ERA in eight starts at home this season compared to a 4.44 ERA in eight outings on the road.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets’ bullpen has allowed four runs in its last 10 games covering 28 innings.

2. San Francisco has won five of its last seven at AT&T Park following a nine-game home losing streak.

3. New York is 6-19 over its last 25 road games.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Mets 4