Manager: Jerry Manuel

Record: 13-13, third in the NL East (heading into Thursday night's game against the Phillies)

Player to watch: CF Carlos Beltran (.389) had hit safely in 24 of the Mets' first 25 games before going 0-for-4 on Wednesday night against the Phillies

Probable starters: 7:10 p.m., today, RHP Jeff Karstens (1-1, 5.85 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Niese (0-0); 1:10 p.m. Saturday, LHP Paul Maholm (3-0, 2.97) vs. RHP John Maine (2-2, 5.20); 1:10 p.m., Sunday, RHP Ian Snell (1-4, 4.50) vs. RHP Livan Hernandez (2-1, 5.53)

TV/radio: Saturday and Sunday games will be televised by FSN. All three games will be broadcast by WPGB-FM (104.7), the Pirates Radio Network and on XM Radio channels 185 (today), 175 (Saturday) and 184 (Sunday)