Pirates

Pirates Preview: Slumping Offense Faces Mets’ Ace

Published

1 month ago

May 13, 2025

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

One day after a 4-3 walk-off win, the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a 4-3 walk-off loss against the New York Mets on Monday night.

Paul Skenes delivered a strong start and Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a home run in his return from the injured list, but Pete Alonso’s sac fly in the bottom of the ninth sunk Pittsburgh.

The Pirates (14-28) will try and rebound following a tough loss when they take on the Mets (27-15) in the second game of the series on Tuesday night.

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

Weather

Chance for rain showers throughout the night and temperatures in the lower-60s. Winds E at 8-9 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-4, 4.40 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller took the loss but delivered a quality start with 6.0 innings and three runs against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Through his first two starts of May, Keller has a 5.73 ERA (7er/11.0ip) while opponents have hit .333 with an .867 OPS against him.

The right-hander has fared much better on the road this season than at home. In two starts away from PNC Park, Keller has a 3.00 ERA. He has a 5.33 ERA when pitching in Pittsburgh.

In four career starts against the Mets, Keller is 3-1 with a sharp 2.00 ERA. New York has only hit .202 against him.

RHP Kodai Senga (4-2, 1.16 ERA) Will Start for the Mets

Senga threw 6.0-shutout frames against the Diamondbacks in his most recent start on Wednesday.

The right-hander hasn’t allowed a run in four of his last six starts and has a remarkable 0.80 ERA during that span. In those six games, Senga hasn’t allowed a home run and opponents have a .217/.318/.270 batting line against him.

Among pitchers with 30-plus innings this season, Senga leads the National League in ERA and is second in baseball behind Max Fried (1.05).

Senga faced the Pirates at PNC Park in 2023 and got the win after allowing one unearned run in 7.0 innings.

Mets Hitters vs. Keller

Brandon Nimmo: 3 for 12, one home run, two RBI, four strikeouts
Jeff McNeil: 2 for 12, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Francisco Lindor: 2 for 10, five walks, three strikeouts
Pete Alonso: 0 for 9, one RBI, one strikeout
Juan Soto: 3 for 8, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Francisco Alvarez: 2 for 7, two strikeouts
Mark Vientos: 1 for 5, two strikeouts
Tyrone Taylor: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Luis Torrens: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Senga

Ji Hwan Bae: 0 for 3, one RBI
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 0 for 3, one walk, one strikeout
Tommy Pham: 1 for 2, one walk

Tidbits

The Pirates have scored four runs or fewer in 18-straight games. That’s the longest stretch in franchise history.
Bryan Reynolds is batting .054 (2 for 37) over his last nine games. Since his batting average climbed to a season-high .263 on Apr. 22, he’s batting .125 (9 for 72).
Andrew McCutchen started in left field for the first time with the Pirates in Monday’s loss. It was his first appearance in left since Oct. 3, 2022 while with the Brewers.