Pirates Preview: Battle of Southpaws at Citi Field

The Pittsburgh Pirates (53-66) were defeated 7-2 by the New York Mets (54-65) on Monday night at Citi Field in the opening contest of a three-game series.

The struggled for Quinn Priester (2-2) continued as the rookie right-hander allowed six runs in 5.0 innings pitched on a career-high 102 pitches.

Now, the Pirates will look to bounce back after Monday’s uninspiring performance and try to even the series in Queens.

First pitch is 7:10 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

There is a 40% chance of rain with temperatures around 80 degrees at first pitch. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.

The Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (0-7, 5.21 ERA)

This will be Falter’s third start with the Pirates since coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline.

In his first start, the left-hander only allowed one run in 4.0 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he was tagged for four runs in 4.0 against the Atlanta Braves in his last appearance.

When he was in the National League East with the Phillies, Falter faced the Mets three times (two starts) and had some success.

In those three games, Falter went 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA.

The Mets Will Send Out LHP David Peterson (3-7, 5.61 ERA)

Peterson has bounced between the Mets’ bullpen and starting rotation this season with his last two appearances being starts.

In those two starts, Peterson hasn’t been stretched out, working 3.0 innings on Aug. 4 and 3.2 innings on Aug. 9.

In 11 appearances (five starts) since June 27, Peterson owns a 2.40 ERA (8er/30.0ip) and has lowered his season ERA from 8.08 to it’s current state of 5.61.

The left-hander has made one previous appearance against the Pirates and allowed one run in 2.1 innings of relief.

Mets Hitters vs. Falter

• Pete Alonso: 1 for 4, one home run, three RBIs, one walk
• Jeff McNeil: 1 for 4
• Brandon Nimmo: 0 for 4, one walk, two strikeouts
• Francisco Lindor: 1 for 3, three walks

Pirates Hitters vs. Peterson

• Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 11, one home run, one RBI, three walks, three strikeouts

Tidbits

• Since May 31, Ke’Bryan Hayes is hitting .316 (42 for 133) with an .865 OPS, six doubles, three tiples, six home runs and 27 RBIs in 34 games. That’s good for a 129 wRC+.
• McCutchen is just two RBIs shy of tying Dave Parker for ninth place on the Pirates’ all-time list and needs only one more steal to move into the top 10 in stolen bases.
• The Pirates have now lost five-straight games at Citi Field and are just 2-10 in Queens dating back to the start of the 2019 season.

Links

Potanko: Will New Pitch ‘Fix’ Roansy Contreras?

REPORT: Ex-Pirates First-Rounder Travis Swaggerty Lands With White Sox

Potanko: After Early Struggles, Well-Rounded Cheng Adjusting to Double-A

Perrotto: Alfonso Rivas Enjoying Reverse Homecoming of Sorts

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