Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Earn Series Win Over Mets?

Published

2 weeks ago

June 28, 2025

Danny Demilio

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates crushed the New York Mets 9-1 to open a three-game series at PNC Park on Friday night.

Mitch Keller worked into the sixth inning and notched his first win since his season debut, while the offense exploded for nine runs on 12 hits.

The Pirates (33-50) will try and earn a series win as their series with the Mets (48-35) continues on Saturday.

First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

A chance for thunderstorms around the start of the game with temperatures in the low 80s. Winds WSW at 8-9 mph.

LHP Bailey Falter (6-3, 3.59 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

Falter walked five batters and allowed three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings in his last start against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

June has been a shaky month for the left-hander, who, despite a 2-0 record in four starts, has posted a 5.12 ERA (11er/21.1ip).

Falter finished with the second-best ERA in May (0.76) in six starts, behind only the Royals’ Kris Bubic (0.56 ERA).

In seven career appearances agaisnt the Mets, Falter is 1-3 with a 3.33 ERA.

RHP Paul Blackburn (0-2, 6.62 ERA) Will Start For the Mets

Blackburn has made five appearances, three of which have been starts, since coming off the injured list on June 2.

He last pitched against the Atlanta Braves on Monday and allowed three runs on six hits with a season-high five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

After throwing 5.0-shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his season debut, Blackburn has allowed at least three runs in each of his last four appearances and has a 9.24 ERA (13er/12.2ip).

This will be his first time facing the Pirates.

Mets Hitters vs. Falter

Brandon Nimmo: 6 for 14, one home run, one RBI, four strikeouts
Francisco Lindor: 3 for 10, five walks, one strikeout
Pete Alonso: 1 for 10, one home run, three RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Tyrone Taylor: 3 for 9, one double, two strikeouts
Starling Marte: 2 for 9, one home run, two RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Juan Soto: 3 for 8, three RBI
Jeff McNeil: 1 for 8, two strikeouts
Luis Torrens: 2 for 5, one strikeout
Mark Vientos: 1 for 5, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Blackburn

Adam Frazier: 1 for 7, one double, two strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 2

Tidbits

Mitch Keller had lost 10 striaght decisions since his last win on March 28. The last Pirates’ pitcher to lose at least 10 in a row was Jose DeLeon, who dropped 11-straight in 1985.
Keller’s win at PNC Park was his first since last season on July 8 against the Mets. He was 0-10 across his last 16 starts entering play.
Bailey Falter has won a career-high tying five straight decisions dating back to May 9.