Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Try to Avoid Sweep Against Their Former Reliever

Published

1 month ago

May 14, 2025

Danny Demilio

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost again on Tuesday night when they were defeated 2-1 by the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Mitch Keller tossed 7.0-strong innings but the offense went 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position as their prolonged struggles continue.

The Pirates (14-29) will try and avoid the sweep against the Mets (28-15) on Wednesday night, and they’ll be facing a familiar face.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Chance for rain around first pitch and temperatures in the low-60s. Winds ESE at 8-10 mph.

LHP Bailey Falter (2-3, 4.36 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Falter got his first win since Apr. 16 after he threw 6.0-shutout innings against the Braves at PNC Park in the Pirates’ 3-2 victory.

Over his last two starts, Falter has been charged with one earned run on just four hits across 13.0 innings pitched.

Opponents are hitting just .232 with a .691 OPS against Falter this year. Both marks are the best of his career.

In six career appearances/five starts against New York, Falter is 1-3 with a 3.86 ERA. He has a 3.38 ERA in three starts at Citi Field.

RHP Clay Holmes (5-1, 2.74 ERA) Will Start for the Mets

Holmes made 91 appearances/four starts with the Pirates from 2018-21 before he was traded to the Yankees at the trade deadline.

The Mets signed hm to a three-year contract this offseason but converted him to a starting pitcher after the right-hander totaled 74 saves with the Yankees over the past three seasons.

Since allowing a season-high four runs in 5.1 innings against the Marlins on Apr. 8, Holmes has a 1.93 ERA over his last five starts.

Holmes has made five relief appearances against the Pirates in his career and hasn’t allowed a run in 4.1 innings pitched.

Mets Hitters vs. Falter

Brandon Nimmo: 5 for 12, one home run, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Francisco Lindor: 3 for 9: four walks, one strikeout
Pete Alonso: 1 for 9, one home run, three RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Juan Soto: 3 for 8, three RBI
Starling Marte: 2 for 8, one home run, two RBI, two strikeouts
Jeff McNeil: 1 for 8, two strikeouts
Tyrone Taylor: 3 for 7, one double, one strikeout
Francisco Alvarez: 2 for 4
Luis Torrens: 1 for 3
Mark Vientos: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Holmes

Tommy Pham: 2 for 7, one walk, three strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 4, one double, one strikeout
Adam Frazier: 0 for 3
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 2, one home run, two RBI, two walks

Tidbits

The Pirates are 27th in batting average (.212) and in OPS (.628) with runners in scoring position. They’ve also hit into 15 double plays in such situations — tied with the Rockies for the most in baseball.
The Pirates have scored four runs or fewer in 19-consecutive games. That extends the longest stretch in franchise history.
Bailey Falter has a 3.00 ERA when pitching at home this season but a 6.05 ERA on the road.