The Mets face the Pirates in game two of their four game weekend set tonight starting at 7:05 EST. Pedro Martinez will look to build on his last start, and will be opposed by lefty Zach Duke, who is 4-10 on the year. The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN.

Keys to the Game:

• Get On Top Early: The Mets have scored in the first inning in four of their last five games, and are 4-1 during that stretch. When a team goes on top early on a team out of the race, most of the time those teams will sail into the sunset, unless you hand them the game of course. The Pirates are a second division team, and we should be able to beat these guys.
• Pedro Turning It Around?: Martinez has gone six innings in his last two starts, allowing two runs and one run during the two starts. He will face the Pirates, who just five days ago held to one run in six innings. I’m starting to feel more and more comfortable with Pedro on the mound.

For a lineup, head to Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.

As always, to chat during the game head to The Hot Foot Bleachers.