The New York Mets (50-66) are undefeated post trade deadline! After moving eight players over the last week, it’s time for this new-look roster to show what they can do. So far, so good. The Mets swept a three-game series on the road against the Cleveland Guardians, who were buyers at the deadline in their quest to make the postseason. New York’s offense delivered in Cleveland, scoring over eight runs per game. The Mets will look to play spoiler again, this time against the Pittsburgh Pirates (57-60). Losing eight of 10 has left them 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot entering Friday.

Let’s take a look at some notes ahead of the three pitching matchups this weekend.

Sean Manaea by Berto Carlo

PITCHING MATCHUPS

  • Friday: Zac Thornton (2-2, 2.88 ERA) vs. Carmen Mlodzinski (6-3, 3.15 ERA): Thornton has been a pleasant surprise since making his big league debut. But, he is coming off a difficult start. 4 2/3 innings, four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks against the Miami Marlins last Saturday. That was very much a one-off. In his four starts prior to that one, Thornton pitched to a 1.42 ERA over 25 1/3 innings. An opportunity for him to bounce back. Mlodzinski began the season as a part of the Pirates’ rotation, with nine of his first 11 appearances coming as a starter. But since the start of May, he has been primary used in long relief. Mlodzinski’s most recent outing came against the Cincinnati Reds last Saturday, totaling three innings and 47 pitches.
  • Saturday: Robert Stock (0-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Bubba Chandler (4-8, 4.49 ERA): Stock made his first major league start since 2021 against the Marlins last weekend, giving up one run over five innings. Whether or not he will be able to provide more length will be a talking point. Stock was efficient against Miami, only needing 70 pitches to get through five innings. He has made two career appearances against the Pirates, both as a reliever. It has been a mixed bag for Chandler in his first season as a big league starter. He earned the win last time out, allowing three runs (two earned) in 5 2/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Chandler has performed well since returning from the All-Star break, pitching to a 2.81 ERA over three starts.
  • Sunday: Sean Manaea (3-5, 4.33 ERA) vs. Jared Jones (2-3, 4.02 ERA): It’s hard to imagine that Manaea began the season as a long reliever, given how well he has pitched as a starter. That has been on full display in recent weeks, as he has pitched to a 2.50 ERA over his last 18 innings. With Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta out of New York, Manaea is the lone veteran in the rotation. Big role for him, both on and off the mound. Jones has made 12 big league starts in his return from right elbow surgery in 2025. He has given up three earned runs or less in 10 of those outings. The Pirates have brought him along slowly, limiting his innings early on. Jones has been given more runway recently, throwing six innings or more three times in July.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Former Met Luke Weaver, who has yet to appear for the Pirates, could do so this weekend. But the bigger story is what Francisco Lindor is doing as of late. Over his last 20 games, he is slashing .272/.344/.568 with six home runs, 11 total extra base hits and 18 runs batted in. After recovering from multiple injuries following the end of last season, Lindor appears to be back or close to his best offensively. With so much noise surrounding his name and potential future with the Mets, this recent surge is coming at a good time. It’s impossible to know at this point if he will be a member of the Mets in 2027. But if he continues to hit at this level, it will be hard to move on from him.

PREDICTION

Over their last five games, the Pirates are scoring 2.4 runs per game. At full strength, Pittsburgh’s lineup is very hit or miss. With Ryan O’Hearn, Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin on the injured list, it becomes even more bleak. The Mets are playing with no pressure and that will help them once again, taking two of three on the road.