The New York Mets (92-55) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-91) at Citi Field on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the four-game series. The Mets lead the series 3-0 after winning 5-1 on Saturday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory and fifth in six games this season. Starter Chris Bassitt threw six scoreless innings- striking out eight – for the win. Eduardo Escobar went 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs in the win. Daniel Vogelbach added one run on two walks. Rodolfo Castro was 3 for 4 with a solo home run and a double for the Pirates.
ON THE MOUND
Johan Oviedo (3-2, 3.34 ERA) is in line for the start for Pittsburgh. The righty threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 6-1 home win over the Reds on Tuesday. He earned the win, giving up one hit while striking out four and walking two. Oviedo has made one previous start against the Mets this season, a 10-0 home loss on September 7. He surrendered four runs on one hit over 1.2 innings, striking out two and walking five. Righty Jacob deGrom (5-2, 2.01 ERA) gets the start for New York. He has made one prior start against the Pirates this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over seven innings in a 10-0 road win on September 7. He gave up three hits and walked one, while striking out eight in the win. In his last start on Tuesday, deGrom took the loss at home against the Cubs. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out 10, in the 4-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 3.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.6. Against righties like deGrom this season, the Bucs have a .650 OPS, third lowest in MLB. Bryan Reynolds is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .789 OPS in 346 at-bats. New York is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.7 for the season. The Mets have a .756 OPS against right-handers in 2022, third highest in MLB. With a .521 SLG over 285 at-bats, Pete Alonso has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 27-48 away from home in 2022, scoring 3.4 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. New York has gone 49-26 at Citi Field this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. In the last 10 meetings at Citi Field, New York is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central, 31 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Mets lead the NL East by one games over the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
New York Mets (-500)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
