Saturday, June 28, 2025 • 4:05 PM
PNC Park • Pittsburgh, PA
RHP Paul Blackburn (0-2, 6.62) vs. LHP Bailey Falter (6-3, 3.59)
SNY

Two steps forward, one step back for the Mets right now.

Going into Friday’s game, the Mets were coming off two consecutive wins against the Braves and getting Mark Vientos back from the injured list. Then the Mets struggled in just about every way Friday night. They only scored one run on a solo shot by Juan Soto while going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. David Peterson struggled for a consecutive game, and Blade Tidwell allowed too many runs behind him. The only silver lining was that Tidwell pitched 3 1/3 innings, saving the bullpen for the rest of the weekend.

That was yesterday and today is a new day to get back in the win column!

Jun 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor – SS
  2. Mark Vientos – 3B
  3. Juan Soto – RF
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Brandon Nimmo – LF
  6. Starling Marte – DH
  7. Tyrone Taylor – CF
  8. Brett Baty – 2B
  9. Luis Torrens – C

The Mets need Paul Blackburn more than ever now, with the news on Friday that Griffin Canning ruptured his Achilles. Blackburn has pitched 17 2/3 innings with a 6.62 ERA, 4.44 FIP, 1.755 WHIP, and a 58 ERA+. He allowed three runs from six hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in his last start. He seemed better, getting five strikeouts (a season high) and didn’t allow four runs (we have a different bar for Blackburn), and hopefully that gives him something to build on tonight. There are only two players on the Pirates who have seen Blackburn in a major league game:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Adam Frazier – LF
  2. Andrew McCutchen – DH
  3. Bryan Reynolds – RF
  4. Nick Gonzales – 2B
  5. Oneil Cruz – CF
  6. Joey Bart – C
  7. Spencer Horwitz – 1B
  8. Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B
  9. Isiah Kiner-Falefa – SS

Bailey Falter has pitched 85 1/3 innings over 16 starts with a 3.59 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 1.184 WHIP, and a 119 ERA+. Falter was dominant in May, allowing only four runs over 35 2/3 innings (0.76 ERA), including four starts where he allowed no runs. June has been a different story. He’s allowed 11 runs over 19 1/3 innings from 21 hits and 9 walks (5.12 ERA, 5.46 FIP). He faced the Mets back in May. He held the Mets scoreless but allowed three hits and five walks in just 3 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career stats against Falter:

  • Pete Alonso 1-10, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Brett Baty 0-2
  • Francisco Lindor 3-10, 5 BB, K
  • Starling Marte 2-9, HR, BB, 2 K
  • Jeff McNeil 1-8, 2 K
  • Brandon Nimmo 6-14, HR, BB, 4 K
  • Juan Soto 3-9
  • Tyrone Taylor 3-9, 2B, 2 K
  • Luis Torrens 2-5, K
  • Mark Vientos 1-5, K

Game Notes

  • Jonah Tong and Nolan McLean both produced quality starts in the minor leagues. The two continue to dominate and show their prowess as top prospects.
  • Steve Cohen and his Metropolitan Park group successfully entered their application for their casino license. You can read more about that here.
  • Juan Soto has 11 homers this month. That is tied for the second-most in a single month. Gary Carter (September of 1985) and Dave Kingman (July of 1975) own the franchise record with 13 homers in a single month. Pete Alonso was the last Mets player to record 11 homers in the month, doing so in September 2019.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Juan Soto. The Mets’ bats may be collectively struggling, but don’t blame Juan Soto. Over his last seven games, he has gone 9-for-22 with six home runs, a stolen base, and five walks (.409/.519/1.227). He is now on track to hit a similar number of home runs as last year. He’s still leading the league in walks, and he’s still on track to smash his career best for stolen bases (currently has 9, career best is 12).
  2. Brett Baty. You know who has a five-game hitting streak? Brett Baty. Over the last five games, he has gone 8-for-18 at the plate, with three games where he has collected two hits. Friday night, Baty went 2-for-4 with two doubles. To put this in perspective, over the first 16 games in June, Baty only had six hits in 58 trips to the plate.
  3. The Bullpen. Blade Tidwell saved the bullpen that had to cover 6 1/3 innings on Thursday after Canning’s injury. Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazobán haven’t pitched since Tuesday and will probably be first up for the Mets this afternoon.

Let’s go Mets!