The Pittsburgh Pirates (49-84), one of the least productive offenses in MLB, are set to host the New York Mets (85-50) at PNC Park on Monday for the first of a three-game series. The Mets are embarking on a six-game road trip after closing out a 10-game homestand (6-4). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Nationals, dropping the finale 7-1 on Sunday at Citi Field. Jeff McNeil was 2 for 2 with one RBI. The Pirates are in the midst of a nine-game homestand. They were just swept in three games against the Blue Jays, dropping the finale 4-3 on Sunday at PNC Park for their fourth straight loss. Oneil Cruz went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Pirates won four of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at PNC Park in July.
ON THE MOUND
Taijuan Walker (10-3, 3.45 ERA) is in line to start for New York. The righty allowed three runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Dodgers on Tuesday. He scattered five hits while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision. Over two starts against the Pirates in 2021, Walker was 0-0 with an 11.81 ERA over 5.1 innings. He had two strikeouts and seven walks. For Pittsburgh, righty Mitch Keller (4-10, 4.43 ERA) takes the mound. In his last start on Tuesday, Keller took a no-decision on the road against the Brewers. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out 10 and walking two in the 4-2 win.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .257/.328/.408. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .859. The first baseman is slashing .270/.348/.511 with 32 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 74 runs over 134 games. Over the last five games, though, New York has averaged only 3.2 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.224/.280/.368). Against right-handed pitchers like Keller this season, the Mets have a .753 OPS, second highest in MLB. Alonso also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .865 OPS in 378 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .220/.286/.360 for the season and averaging 3.5 runs per game, third lowest in the league. Bryan Reynolds leads the team with a .788 OPS. The center fielder has 21 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 58 runs scored with a slash line of .254/.335/.453. Pittsburgh is averaging only 1.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.181/.234/.281). The Bucs have a .645 OPS against right-handers in 2022, third lowest in the league. With a .806 OPS over 300 at-bats, Reynolds also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 39-27 away from Citi Field in 2022, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Pittsburgh has lost eight in a row at home. The Bucs are 26-39 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at PNC Park, though New York has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.6-5.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets lead the NL East by two games over the Braves. The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central, 28 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
New York Mets (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
