- Matchup: New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Venue: Citi Field, Queens, NY
- Broadcast: Sportsnet New York
- Betting Odds: Pittsburgh (+125) New York (-145)
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On Thursday, the New York Mets (last season: 83-79) will face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (71-91 last year) at the iconic Citi Field. The current betting line places the Pirates at +125 and the Mets at -145, with an over/under total of 8 runs. Starting pitchers for the matchup are Paul Skenes and Freddy Peralta.
Last season, the Pirates achieved 245 doubles and hit 117 home runs. Their team slugging percentage was .350, and they were struck out 1,422 times while drawing 530 walks. Overall, the Pirates averaged 3.6 runs per game, placing them last in the league. They amassed 561 RBIs and 1,244 hits, finishing with a batting average of .231 and 583 runs scored, complemented by an OBP of .305.
The Pirates had a K/BB ratio of 2.78 and a cumulative WHIP of 1.22. Their pitchers allowed 153 home runs and gave up a total of 645 runs (ranking them 5th in MLB). Pittsburgh conceded 1,267 hits (averaging 8.0 hits per 9 innings) and 598 earned runs. With a team ERA of 3.76, they ranked 7th in MLB and struck out 1,314 batters, while issuing 473 walks and having a FIP of 3.83 last season.
Throughout the previous season, the Pirates employed 510 relievers. Their bullpen inherited 218 base runners, with 35.3% scoring. The team saved 36 games out of 62 opportunities, resulting in a save rate of 58.1%. In high-pressure situations, the relievers saw action 141 times and notched 76 holds (24th in MLB).
Defensively, the Pirates recorded 4,292 putouts, 1,334 assists, and committed 77 errors, earning a fielding percentage of .986, ranking them 12th in MLB. They converted 70.7% of balls put in play into outs over 12,876 innings, finishing 9th in the league.
Paul Skenes has pitched a total of 320 innings, accruing 386 strikeouts with an impressive earned run average of 1.97 (70 earned runs). His WHIP stands at 0.949, having allowed 230 hits (6.5 hits per 9 innings) and 74 walks. Skenes holds a career record of 21-13, facing 1,247 batters in the majors, with a FIP of 1.94.
The Mets posted a slugging percentage of .427 and averaged 4.73 runs per game, placing 9th in the league. They hit 262 doubles and earned 563 walks, scoring a total of 766 runs. With 224 home runs and 746 RBIs, they struck out 1,325 times (21st in the league) and achieved 1,359 hits. The Mets finished the season with a team OBP of .326 and a batting average of .249.
The Mets’ pitching staff concluded the previous season with a WHIP of 1.323 and a FIP of 3.88, showcasing a K/BB ratio of 8.70 (1,387 strikeouts vs. 556 walks). They ranked 18th in MLB for total hits allowed, giving up 1,338 hits and 149 home runs, allowing 4.49 runs per 9 innings (18th in MLB) and a team ERA of 4.03 (641 earned runs allowed).
In save situations, the Mets called on relievers 68 times, achieving 40 saves and ranking 23rd in MLB with a save percentage of 58.8%. They utilized 541 relievers last season, with 185 appearances in high leverage situations. Their bullpen inherited 257 runners, with a 35.0% scoring percentage, completing 170 save situations and accumulating 101 holds along with 28 blown saves.
Over 12,888 innings played, the Mets recorded a defensive efficiency of 68.8% (25th in professional baseball). They turned 119 double plays, posting a fielding percentage of .986 (13th in pro baseball) with 1,475 assists, 79 errors, and 4,296 putouts.
Freddy Peralta, holding a career record of 70-42, has an earned run average of 3.59, allowing 6.7 hits per 9 innings. He possesses a K/BB ratio of 3.20, facing 3,853 batters throughout his career. Peralta has allowed a total of 371 earned runs, showcasing a WHIP of 1.133 and a FIP of 3.5, with 694 hits against him and 1,153 strikeouts in 930 innings.
Which team will prevail in this exciting MLB matchup against the spread or money line?
Prediction: Bet on New York (-145)
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