Now that the Mets have put Oliver Perez on the DL and called up Jonathon Niese to take his spot in the rotation, the pitching matchups are in for their three-game series with the Pirates that starts Friday night at Citi Field. Here is the breakdown:

Friday — RHP Jeff Karstens (1-1, 5.85) vs. Niese (debut), 7:10 p.m., SNY.

Saturday — LHP Paul Maholm (3-0, 2.97) vs. RHP John Maine (2-2, 5.20), 1:10 p.m., SNY.

Sunday — RHP Ian Snell (1-4, 4.50) vs. RHP Livan Hernandez (2-1, 5.53), 1:10 p.m., PIX-11.