Pirates

Pirates Preview: Meeting the Mets for 3-Game Series

Published

2 weeks ago

April 15, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a complete effort on Sunday to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-2 to earn a series split at Citizens Bank Park.

Andrew McCutchen belted his 300th home run in the ninth inning to pad the Pirates’ lead. Jack Suwinski hit a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning and Joey Bart also went deep. On the mound, Mitch Keller allowed two runs across seven innings and got the win.

The Pirates’ road-trip will continue to Citi Field for the start of a three-game series against the New York Mets.

First pitch between the Pirates and Mets is set for 7:10 ET. The game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the low-70s for first pitch. Winds blowing NW at 9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (1-0, 1.89 ERA)

Pérez’s tenure with the Pirates has been smooth. The left-hander ranks fourth in the National League in ERA.

His best start of the season came in his last outing. Facing the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park, Pérez allowed just one run across eight innings, didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven.

Pérez has not allowed more than two runs in any of his three starts to begin the season.

In his career against the Mets, Pérez is a perfect 4-0 with a 2.88 ERA in eight appearances, four of which have been starts. All four of those wins have come at Citi Field.

The New York Mets Will Send Out RHP Adrian Houser (0-1, 5.40 ERA)

Like Pérez, Houser is in his first year with a new team. The Mets acquired Houser in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason.

Unlike Pérez, Houser’s early returns haven’t been quite as good. Across his first two starts, Houser has more walks (five) than strikeouts (four). Opponents are hitting .289 against him.

Houser allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings pitched against the Atlanta Braves in his last start. He fared much better in his season debut, when he held the Tigers to one run in five innings.

Houser has extensive experience against the Pirates from his days as a Brewer. His 14 appearances against them are the third-most he’s had against any team. For his career, he’s 4-3 with a 3.79 ERA against Pittsburgh.

Mets Hitters vs. Pérez

Francisco Lindor: 4 for 11, five walks
Pete Alonso: 0 for 9, two walks, one strikeout
Starling Marte: 4 for 8, one double, one home run, two RBIs, one strikeout
Brandon Nimmo: 3 for 8, one double
Jeff McNeil: 3 for 7, three RBIs
Joey Wendle: 1 for 7, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Houser

Bryan Reynolds: 5 for 18, one double, one home run, two RBIs, three walks,
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 14, two strikeouts
Henry Davis: 0 for 3
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 2, one home run, two RBIs, one strikeout
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 1, one home run, one RBI

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen became the 160th player and the 11th active to reach 300 home runs,
McCutchen is now one 0f 13 players in league history with at least 2,000 hits, 400 doubles, 45 triples, 300 home runs and 200 stolen bases.
Additionally, McCutchen moved into 10th place on the Pirates’ all-time list with his 183rd stolen base on Sunday.