The New York Mets will face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates in an important National League clash on Friday, with both teams struggling recently, each holding a 3-7 record over their last ten games. The Mets, currently at 48-34, have not secured a series win since June 10-12 and possess a road record of 19-22 this season. The Pirates, sitting at 32-50 and fifth in the NL Central, have a slightly better home performance with a record of 20-21.
The game will take place at PNC Park in Pittsburgh with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. The Mets have the upper hand in recent matchups, winning seven of the last ten encounters. They are favored at -140 on the money line, while the projected total runs for the game are set at 8.
On the mound for the Mets will be left-handed pitcher David Peterson, who has a record of 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA this season. Peterson has been consistent, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 14 out of his 15 starts. His impressive performance included a complete-game victory against the Washington Nationals, where he gave up only six hits and struck out six batters.
On the offensive side, Pete Alonso has been a key player for the Mets, boasting a .292 batting average, with 23 doubles, 18 home runs, and 65 RBI in 82 games this season. He has also historically performed well against the Pirates, contributing significantly to the Mets’ offense in previous matchups.
The Pirates will counter with right-hander Mitch Keller, who has faced challenges this season, holding a 1-10 record and a 4.02 ERA. Keller has often been a victim of poor offensive support, with his team averaging just 2.25 runs in his starts. In his last appearance, Keller pitched well but took a loss against the Texas Rangers.
Pittsburgh’s second baseman Nick Gonzales has been on a roll lately, hitting in six of his last eight games, including an outstanding 5-for-5 performance against the Milwaukee Brewers.
SportsLine’s projections favor a high-scoring game, estimating nine combined runs. For those looking to delve deeper into the match, insights from SportsLine’s model indicate which side of the money line may provide the best value.
With both teams eager to improve their standings, this matchup promises to be crucial for their momentum moving forward. The Mets are looking to capitalize on their recent successes against Pittsburgh while the Pirates aim to turn their season around and gain traction in their division.