Series Preview: Mets, Pirates Meet in New York

After losing three out of four games against the Atlanta Braves over the weekend, the New York Mets (53-65) are trudging to their upcoming matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates (53-65) at Citi Field.

Despite winning the final game of the series, the weekend was characterized by humiliation at the hands of the division rival Braves. Most notably, they lost 21-3 in the first game of their doubleheader on Saturday in an offensive onslaught from the Braves’ potent lineup.

Similarly, the Pirates lost their three-game series over the weekend against the Cincinnati Reds.

With both teams in a race for last place in their respective divisions, it will be interesting to see how they approach this series with draft placement in mind.

Monday, August 14, 2023: RHP Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.75 ERA) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42 ERA)

It is likely that Quinn Priester will open the series for the Pirates. This season has been a struggle for the right-handed pitcher, as he has allowed three or more earned runs in all of his starts. He tossed four innings while giving up four earned runs during his last outing.

Carlos Carrasco will be pitching for the Mets on Monday. Despite a series of poor starts in recent play, Carrasco bounced back in his last start with five innings and five strikeouts with only two earned runs allowed. This better outing could be the spark that shifts this season in Carrasco’s favor going forward. In his career, Carrasco has five games started against the Pirates with a 2.96 ERA cumulatively.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023: LHP Bailey Falter (0-7, 5.21 ERA) vs. LHP David Peterson (3-7, 5.61 ERA)

Bailey Falter will likely pitch on Tuesday for Pittsburgh. Last time out, he pitched four innings while allowing four runs with three strikeouts. This will be his third start for the Pirates, after being acquired from the Phillies a few weeks ago. Falter has started in three games against the Mets in his career, and he has a 3.27 ERA among those outings.

David Peterson will pitch for the Mets on Tuesday. Since his return from Triple-A Syracuse, Peterson has been much better. He has recently returned to the rotation in the wake of the fire sale that the Mets conducted at the trade deadline. Since his return to MLB, he has a 2.40 ERA (4.00 FIP) over 30 innings.

Last time around, Peterson pitched 3 2/3 innings while allowing two runs with five strikeouts. As Peterson accumulates more starts, his innings load will likely increase over time. He came out of the bullpen in his only career outing against the Pirates, and he pitched 2 1/3 innings while allowing one run and striking out four batters.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023: RHP Johan Oviedo (6-12, 4.42 ERA) vs. RHP Tylor Megill (6-6, 5.64 ERA)

Johan Oviedo will probably pitch on Wednesday. His season has brought mixed results, and he pitched five innings while allowing six runs and striking out four batters during his last start. In his career against the Mets, Oviedo has struggled with a 7.31 ERA in four career starts.

Tylor Megill is set to pitch on Wednesday for the Mets. He has largely struggled throughout this season but has found himself a spot in the rotation due to the same trades that helped Peterson. In his last outing, Megill pitched 5 1/3 innings while allowing five earned runs and striking out three batters. In three career starts against the Pirates, Megill has struggled with a 5.40 ERA.