Gerrit Cole (5-2, 2.40 ERA) and Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 3.18 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-22) and the New York Mets (24-18) at PNC Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 22 and can be seen on SNY and ROOT-PIT.
Cole is 0-2 with an 8.00 ERA in his appearances against the Mets, but goes up against a below-average New York offense which is batting just .236 this season. Starling Marte (.297, 21 Rs, 8 HRs, 27 RBIs, 6 SBs) had another good game Wednesday, going 2 for 6 with one RBI. Syndergaard went 6.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out five and walking one in a 5-1 win over the Brewers in his most recent start. Lucas Duda (.302, 23 Rs, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Mets, going 2 for 3 yesterday with three runs, two home runs, and four RBIs.
Pittsburgh is a -145 favorite against New York and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Pirates have an overall money line of -760 and a record as the favorite of 14-13. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Pirates, who have a team ERA of only 3.29.
As for their opponent, in contrast to an encouraging overall money line (+525), New York has an unimpressive 5-14 record when playing as the underdog. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-6 record when playing as the underdog. New York’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL, with a 3.20 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Mets are the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.14 for the season.
The Pirates have a 17-18 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Syndergaard takes the mound. Cole (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 5-8 record on the road against right-handed starting pitchers. Their overall record against righties isn’t as positive at 20-13.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, New York is 13-5, while Pittsburgh is 5-10.
The Pirates managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mets who are coming in with a 6-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 4-13. The Mets have a 7-15 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Pittsburgh ranks 23rd with 32 homers and New York is 22nd with 33.
Pittsburgh and New York both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Pittsburgh sits at 11th with 8.35 hits per game and New York ranks 14th with 7.68.
Pittsburgh and New York both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Pittsburgh sits at 26th with an OPS of .669 and New York ranks 28th with an OPS of .660.
The Mets are 10-13 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Pirates are 5-14 when they allow at least one homer.
