Pittsburgh Pirates

Mets Game Preview (7/17/21) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (35-56)

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The New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates return to the field as the Mets try to develop the formula to beat a rebuilding team. After last night’s loss, the Mets have lost three of their five games to the second-worst team in the NL. Weather permitting, the first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET start from the scenic PNC Park.

The lineup features the return of J.D. Davis to the four-hole, and the Mets desperately need his offense. Francisco Lindor has landed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain, and the team offense has continued to struggle. Davis was red hot during his rehab assignment with four home runs. He also has the longest home run of his career at PNC Park when it came off Joe Musgrove in 2019.

The Pirates have had the Mets number and have even started commotions with them. John Nogowski and Marcus Stroman‘s fight led to Drew Smith being dragged into the situation. Smith told Stroman he was a “clown,” which Stroman told the media after the game. It is unlikely, but there is always a chance of retaliation in the air with situations like these.

Pitching Matchup

Tylor Megill makes his fifth career start and is still searching for his first major league win. He has not gone past the fifth inning in any of his starts but has a 3.50 ERA and a very impressive 26 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. During his last start against the Pirates, Megill pitched 3.2 innings and allowed one run with seven strikeouts in a seven-inning game.

Wil Crowe gets the ball for the Pirates, and it has been a struggle for him all season. He has a 6.05 ERA in 55 innings and has allowed 12 home runs this season. Crowe has only gone past the fifth inning once in 12 starts and has pitched between four and five innings over his last six starts. If the Mets can get started early, this is a good opportunity to get their offense finally on track.

Mets Game Preview: (7/9/21) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (32-54)

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After thunderstorms canceled the first game between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates, they will attempt to get in Friday’s game to start their final series before the All-Star break. Rain is once again looming in the forecast, but the game should be able to get started in Queens. The first pitch from Citi Field is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.

Getting Brandon Nimmo back in the lineup was exactly what the Mets needed as they have a table-setter at the top of the order. Since returning, Nimmo is 8-for-22 (.364) with two doubles and has been in the middle of every Mets rally. For the Mets, combining seven straight games against the Pirates and the horrible NL East gives them a good opportunity to create more separation in the division.

The rebuilding Pirates have played much better of late. They have won three of their last four games and took their last series from the Atlanta Braves. Bryan Reynolds has been a bright spot by hitting .305 with 15 homers and 48 runs batted in. Potential trade target Adam Frazier is also having a solid season, leading the team and fourth in MLB with a .326 batting average.

Pitching Matchup

Taijuan Walker looks to finish his All-Star caliber season on a good note and lower his 2.44 ERA. He continued his dominance in his last start against the New York Yankees, where he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs and holding a no-hitter through the first five innings. Walker is also a potential replacement to take Jacob deGrom’s spot on the All-Star team.

JT Brubaker is the Pirates starter and has been the best one for a team that has very few quality starters. He has a 4.08 ERA in 15 starts this season, but his biggest issue is the home run. Brubaker has allowed 16 of them this season and is coming off a start where he allowed three to the Milwaukee Brewers.

New York Mets Series Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (6/25-6/27)

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New York Yankees, New York Mets, Zack Wheeler

After getting swept again at home, the New York Mets welcome in Pittsburgh Pirates for a three game series. The Mets have been the worst team in baseball since their 11-1 start and there are no signs of any turn around in the future. The Pirates are another team that started the season strong but has underachieved since then. They are also in the midst of a five game losing streak. The Mets and Pirates split their six game season series last season.

Probable Pitching Matchups

(6/25, 7:10 PM) Jameson Taillon (4-6, 4.03 ERA) vs. Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.85 ERA)

(6/26, 7:10 PM) Chad Kuhl (5-5, 4.56 ERA) vs. Steven Matz (3-5, 3.68 ERA)

(6/27, 7:10 PM) Ivan Nova (4-5, 3.98 ERA) vs. Zack Wheeler (2-6, 4.85 ERA)

Mets Cannot Figure it Out

The Mets have looked like a lost cause since their winning streak ended. They have showed flashes of turning their season around but have not been able to put it together consistently. Their combination of injuries, poor pitching out of their bullpen and historically bad hitting has contributed to this disappointing season. The problems have only been inflated by the very questionable moves by manager Mickey Callaway.

The Mets almost lost Brandon Nimmo for an extended period of time after he was hit on his hand yesterday. It is only a pinkie injury that will keep him out for a game or two. With only two healthy outfielders on the roster, Dom Smith will be called on to play the outfield again. The Mets have already lost Juan Lagares, Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes to injuries this season.

Pirates Have Also Struggled

The Pirates seemed like they were in a rebuilding phase after trading Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole in the offseason. They surprised many when they ended April with a 17-12 record. The Pirates fell back to Earth and have a 19-29 record since April concluded. They do not do anything amazing and most of their team stats sit in the middle of the pack. The Pirates certainly are not the contenders they turned into for a while but they are trying to acquire new pieces to make them better in the future.

The Pirates are the only team in baseball who does not have a single player with at least 10 home runs. Francisco Cervelli, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco are all tied for the team lead with 9. Rookie outfielder Austin Meadows has shined with a .327 average in 31 games and has certainly made a case to be in the everyday lineup. The starting rotation is also average as well, no starter has an ERA lower than 3.50 and no one is above 4.60.

Matchups to Lookout For

Josh Harrison vs. Steven Matz: 3-3 (1.000) Triple

Jose Bautista vs. Ivan Nova: 9-29 (.310) 3 Doubles, Home Run, 8 Walks, 7 Strikeouts

David Freese vs. Steven Matz: 1-3 (.333) Strikeout

Jose Reyes vs. Ivan Nova: 3-10 (.300) Walk

Interesting Stats

Corey Dickerson against LHP in 2018: 18-57 (.316) 4 Doubles, Triple, 2 Walks, 11 Strikeouts

Amed Rosario when swinging at the first pitch in 2018: 8-24 (.333) Double, Triple, Home Run

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For Game 1 of this series we chose:

-New York Mets OVER 3.5 runs

  • Pirates UNDER 4.5 runs

-Total runs UNDER 7.5 runs