New York @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2019 ) NY Mets 11, San Francisco 4

The New York Mets finally cooled off the host San Francisco Giants on Saturday and can gain a split of their four-game series when the teams meet again Sunday. The Giants took the first two games of the series to extend their winning streak to seven games and push their record to .500 for the first time all year, but the Mets erupted for 17 hits in Saturday's 11-4 triumph.

Dominic Smith homered and drove in four runs while Pete Alonso slugged his 33rd blast for New York, which has won five of its last seven. Jeff McNeil also went deep for the Mets and is 11-for-36 during an eight-game hitting streak that has seen his average actually fall to .345. He and his teammates will get their first look at lefty Conner Menez, who is being called up from Triple-A Sacramento to make his major league debut. San Francisco will take aim at fellow southpaw Steven Matz as it aims to win its fifth straight series.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (5-6, 4.87 ERA) vs. Giants LH Conner Menez (NR)

Matz spent time in the bullpen to begin the month before returning to the rotation Tuesday at Minnesota when Zack Wheeler was placed on the injured list. He allowed two runs and five hits over four innings against the Twins before being removed following a 68-pitch effort. The New York native has yielded three runs in 18 innings over three previous starts in his career against the Giants.

Menez is taking the spot of veteran Drew Pomeranz, who was originally scheduled for Sunday's start but is being moved to the bullpen amid a difficult season. The 24-year-old Menez was 2-0 with a 3.82 ERA with Triple-A Sacramento after posting a 2.72 mark in 11 starts at the Double-A level. He allowed one run and 10 hits in 11 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts in his last two outings in the minors.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets recalled RHP Walker Lockett from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned RHP Jacob Rhame to Syracuse.

2. Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval was 4-for-4 on Saturday after going 3-for-37 over his previous nine games.

3. Smith has knocked in four runs twice in his last four games.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Giants 4