The New York Mets (30-33) are on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-29) at PNC Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Mets are in the midst of a six-game road trip.
They were just swept in three games against the Braves, dropping the finale 13-10 on Thursday at Truist Park for their sixth straight loss. Francisco Alvarez was 2 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs.
The Pirates are kicking off the final series of their nine-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Athletics in their last series, dropping the finale 9-5 on Wednesday at PNC Park. Rodolfo Castro went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double.
He drove in three runs. Ke’Bryan Hayes went 3 for 5 with a triple and one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Mets won six of the seven games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a four-game set at Citi Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Tylor Megill (5-3, 4.40 ERA) is slated to take the mound for New York. The righty allowed one run over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 2-1 home defeat against the Blue Jays on Saturday.
He yielded five hits while striking out five and walking five in the no-decision. For Pittsburgh, lefty Rich Hill (5-5, 4.41 ERA) takes the mound.
In his last start on Sunday, Hill got the win at home against the Cardinals. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out six and walking three in the 2-1 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .240/.320/.397. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .872. The first baseman is slashing .231/.326/.546 with 22 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 41 runs over 62 games.
Against left-handed pitchers like Hill this season, the Mets have a .718 OPS. Alonso also is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .888 OPS in 68 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .247/.326/.404 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game.
Four Pirates hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Connor Joe (.821). The left fielder has six home runs, 21 RBIs, and 29 runs scored with a slash line of .251/.347/.474.
The Bucs have a .722 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .932 OPS over 120 at-bats, Jack Suwinski has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is on a five-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 15-21 in 2023. The Mets have scored 4.7 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.1 runs.
Pittsburgh has gone 16-15 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at PNC Park with an average scoreline of 5.7-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets are fourth in the NL East, eight games behind the division-leading Braves. The Pirates are second in the NL Central, one games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
