- Matchup: New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Betting Odds: New York Mets (-182) | Pittsburgh Pirates (+150)
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On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (57-59) face off against the New York Mets (49-66) at PNC Park. The betting line for this matchup sets the Mets at -182 and the Pirates at +150, with an over/under total of 8.5. Starting pitchers include Zac Thornton and Carmen Mlodzinski.
This season, the New York Mets have recorded a slugging percentage of .383. They’ve been struck out 978 times while drawing 365 walks, accumulating 446 RBIs and 897 hits on the year with a batting average of .232. The Mets have hit 143 doubles and launched 137 home runs, scoring a total of 469 runs. Averaging 4.1 runs per game, they rank 27th overall in MLB.
The Mets feature a K/BB ratio of 2.57, with their pitching staff achieving a collective WHIP of 1.30. Collectively, Mets pitchers have allowed 124 home runs and 522 runs this season (19th in MLB). They’ve given up 924 hits (averaging 8.1 per 9 innings) and 464 earned runs, accumulating a team ERA of 4.07 (12th in the league) while striking out 1,038 batters. This season, their FIP stands at 3.98.
Mets pitchers have faced players on base 108 times and made 119 high-leverage appearances. The bullpen has recorded 45 holds this year (27th in the league) and has a save rate of 58.8%, having encountered 79 save opportunities. So far, they’ve converted 20 saves, missing 14 opportunities out of 34. Mets relievers have inherited 148 runners, with 29.1% scoring. Overall, 352 relief pitchers have taken the mound this season.
This year, the Mets have tallied 3,077 putouts, complemented by 927 assists and 78 errors, leading to a fielding percentage of .981, which ranks them 29th in Major League Baseball. They have successfully turned 70 double plays and converted 69.4% of balls in play into outs over 9,231 innings, which places them 20th in the league.
Thornton has pitched 34 innings, achieving 24 strikeouts in his career, alongside a 2.90 earned run average (allowing 11 earned runs) and a WHIP of 1.056. He has permitted 26 hits (6.9 hits per 9 innings) and issued 10 walks, holding a career record of 2-2 and a FIP of 2.86, while facing 134 batters in the majors.
The Pirates boast a team slugging percentage of .413, averaging 5.05 runs per game (4th in MLB). They have accumulated 179 doubles and 586 runs this season, along with 142 home runs and 561 RBIs. Despite striking out 1,101 times (ranked 1st in MLB), Pittsburgh has recorded 1,030 hits, with a team OBP of .333 and a batting average of .256.
On the pitching side, the Pirates have conceded 559 runs this season, combined with a 4.30 ERA (495 earned) while allowing 120 home runs and averaging 4.86 runs per 9 innings (23rd in the league). Their WHIP sits at 1.327, with a collective FIP of 3.93, and a K/BB ratio of 9.40 (1,077 strikeouts vs. 424 walks). As a staff, they rank 19th in total hits allowed, with 951.
Pittsburgh’s relief pitching has inherited 142 runners, with 32.4% scoring. They’ve been utilized in 108 high-pressure situations and have faced base runners on 102 occasions. With 94 save opportunities, the bullpen boasts 50 holds alongside 20 blown saves, giving them a save percentage of 53.5%, and they’ve used 368 relievers throughout the season.
Pittsburgh’s defense includes 91 double plays and a .983 fielding percentage (23rd in the league). They’ve registered 902 assists, 70 errors, and 3,110 putouts this season. In 9,330 innings played, the Pirates have a defensive efficiency of 68.6%, placing them 27th in the league.
Mlodzinski has a career record of 19-19 with a 3.22 ERA, allowing 8.5 hits per nine innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.58, facing 1,182 hitters over his professional career. He’s given up 100 earned runs, has a WHIP of 1.285, and a FIP of 3.2. Mlodzinski has permitted 264 hits while accumulating 245 strikeouts over 279 innings of work.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB showdown against the spread and the moneyline?
Prediction: Back New York (-182)
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