Arizona @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2012 ) Arizona 0, Pittsburgh 4

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best home winning percentage in baseball and with 31 of their last 54 games at PNC Park, they seemed poised to finish off their best season in 20 years. The Pirates will try to improve on their 34-16 home record vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday in the second of a four-game series. Pittsburgh began its 11-game homestand with a 4-0 victory on Monday and kept its grip on the second National League wild card spot, 2 1/2 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates also climbed back to within 3 1/2 games of the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central. The Pirates haven't reached the playoffs - or finished at .500 or better - since 1992, when George H.W. Bush was finishing his term as President.

Andrew McCutchen, a strong candidate to become the first Pirate to win the NL MVP award since Barry Bonds in 1992, is batting .481 in his last 21 home games and leads the major leagues with a .369 average. The Diamondbacks, who have lost three straight, are four games behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL West and 7 1/2 behind Pittsburgh for the final wild card spot. Pittsburgh's Jeff Karstens will try to win his fifth straight decision. He will oppose rookie Patrick Corbin, who combined with three relievers to two-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (3-4, 3.60 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jeff Karstens (4-2, 3.70)

Corbin, who was promoted from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday, allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five in six innings against the Dodgers. He began the season with Double-A Mobile before making five starts with Arizona. After a demotion to Reno, he returned to the Diamondbacks and worked five games out of the bullpen before going back to Reno. As a starter, Corbin is 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA. Corbin has never faced the Pirates.

Karstens, who hasn't lost in his last six starts, allowed one run and three hits in five innings in the Pirates' 8-4 victory at Chicago on Wednesday. In his previous outing, he allowed four runs and six hits - including a homer and double to newest Diamondback Chris Johnson - in Pittsburgh's 6-5 victory at Houston on July 27. Karstens is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in eight games (four starts) against Arizona. The Diamondbacks roster is hitting .326 against him, with Miguel Montero 5-for-10 and Juston Upton 4-for-8 (homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates are 11-4 against left-handed starters at home.

2. Arizona placed C Henry Blanco (thumb) on the disabled list Monday and claimed C Wil Nieves off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. ... Arizona INF Willie Bloomquist went 0-for-4 and made an error Monday in his first game since missing six with a back injury.

3. Pittsburgh is 24-11 since June 27.