Pirates

Pirates Preview: Monday Series Finale vs. Mets

Published

7 months ago

July 8, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates' Nick Gonzales celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Colin Rea during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 3-2 to the New York Mets after taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday.

Nick Gonzales drove in a pair to give the Pirates a 2-1 advantage but Aroldis Chapman allowed a pair of runs in the top of the ninth in blowing the save.

The Pirates (42-47) will look to earn a series split against the Mets (44-44) behind Mitch Keller in the series finale on Monday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 12:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Hot, hot, hot. Temperatures climbing to the mid-90’s during the game with mostly sunny skies. Winds S at 6 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (9-5, 3.48 ERA)

Keller had a second-straight subpar start in his last outing against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.

The Cardinals tagged Keller for six runs (five earned) on nine hits including a pair of home runs in five innings pitched.

Though he didn’t get the results he would have wanted, Keller extended his streak of pitching at least five innings to 47 games, the longest active streak in baseball.

In his career against the Mets, the right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts. He last faced them last June and got the one by throwing seven innings of one-run ball.

The New York Mets Will Send Out RHP Christian Scott (0-2, 4.32 ERA)

The Mets promoted Scott in the beginning of May, optioned him back to Triple-A Syracuse at the end of the month and recalled him earlier this month.

Scott, who is considered the Mets’ No. 2 prospect, has totaled six starts in the big leagues this year and 33.1 innings pitched.

At Triple-A, the 25-year-old went 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 42.1 innings across nine starts.

This will be the first time he’s faced the Pirates.

Mets Hitters vs. Keller

Jose Iglesias: 3 for 10, one home run, four RBIs, three strikeouts
Jeff McNeil: 1 for 9, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Brandon Nimmo: 1 for 8, three strikeouts
Francisco Lindor: 2 for 7, five walks, two strikeouts
Harrison Bader: 0 for 7, one walk, two strikeouts
Pete Alonso: 0 for 5, one RBI, one strikeout
Tyrone Taylor: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Francisco Alvarez: 0 for 3, one strikeout
J.D. Martinez: 0 for 3, two walks one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Scott

Tidbits

Paul Skenes was named an All-Star on Sunday. His 78 strikeouts through his first 10 appearances are the eighth-most in MLB history.
Joining Skenes in representing the Pirates at the 2024 All-Star Game is Bryan Reynolds. He has started all 89 games for the Pirates this season, which ties Josh Bell (2018) for the most consecutive-starts for a Pirates’ player since 2006.
In addition to the two players, Pirates’ assistant athletic trainer Tony Leo will be on the National League training staff at the All-Star Game.