Game Chat: Mets vs. Pirates, 1:35 PM.

Sunday, July 7, 2024 • 1:35 PM
PNC Park • Pittsburgh, PA
LHP Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.67) vs. RHP Luis Ortiz (4-2, 3.67)
SNY

The New York Mets snapped their losing streak Saturday, cruising to an uncomplicated 5-2 win over the Pirates, clinching the season series. Today, they will look to clinch at least another series split with the Pirates as it’s a rare four-game set in Pittsburgh that concludes on Monday.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Brandon Nimmo, CF
3. J.D. Martinez, DH
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
5. Francisco Alvarez, C
6. DJ Stewart, RF
7. Mark Vientos, 3B
8. Jeff McNeil, LF
9. José Iglesias, 2B

Sean Manaea has made 16 starts over 83 1/3 innings for the Mets this season with a 3.67 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.272 WHIP, and a 105 ERA+. He’s coming off of a fantastic start where he held the Washington Nationals to two runs (only one earned) over seven innings from five hits and two walks.

In his last four starts he has a 1.99 ERA and 3.60 FIP. Hitters have a paltry .523 OPS with 21 strikeouts over those 22 2/3 innings.

The Pirates have the following career numbers against him:

• Joey Bart 0-4, 3 K
• Yasmani Grandal 0-3, BB, K
• Ke’Bryan Hayes 1-4, BB, K
• Connor Joe 0-6, K
• Andrew McCutchen 1-9, BB, 3 K
• Edward Olivares 0-4, BB, K
• Joshua Palacios 0-2
• Bryan Reynolds 2-5, HR, 2 BB
• Jack Suwinski 1-9, 2 K
• Michael A. Taylor 2-5, HR, 2 K
• Rowdy Tellez 2-3

Pirates Lineup

1. Andrew McCutchen, DH
2. Bryan Reynolds, LF
3. Connor Joe, 1B
4. Nick Gonzales, 2B
5. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
6. Edward Olivares, RF
7. Jared Triolo, SS
8. Joey Bart, C
9. Michael Taylor, CF

Luis Ortiz will make his second start of the season for the Pirates this afternoon. Over 23 games this season, he has pitched 55 innings with a 3.27 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.236 WHIP, and a 126 ERA+. His one start was a good one back on June 26 where he allowed one run over six innings from four hits while striking out seven. He reached 85 pitches in that start.

Ortiz faced the Mets in relief back in April and allowed three runs from two hits and a walk over 1 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 1-1
• Francisco Alvarez 0-1
• Harrison Bader 1-3, K
• Francisco Lindor 0-0, BB
• J.D. Martinez 0-2, K
• Brandon Nimmo 0-1

Game Notes

The Mets announced prior to Sunday’s game that LHP Matt Gage has been acquired from Los Angeles (NL) in exchange for cash considerations. He has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, RHP Drew Smith has been transferred to the 60-day IL.

Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Harrison Bader is still day-to-day, “He wanted to be in there today, but I think we’ve got to be careful here and make sure this doesn’t turn into a long-term injury.”

Ryan Clifford reached base four times for Double-A Binghamton yesterday. His season OPS is now .886 in Double-A.

Today is former Met Tim Teufel’s birthday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced an array of roster moves:

• Selected the contract of RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis
• Placed LHP Bailey Falter on the 15-day injured list.
• LHP Justin Bruihl has been designated for assignment.

Three Things To Watch For

1. The Pirates’ bullpen. Luis Ortiz is making a spot start in the rotation for Jared Jones who landed on the injured list earlier this weekend. If Luis Ortiz is effective today, he can give the Pirates a normal length start. If he isn’t, they’ll have to go to a bullpen that pitched seven innings in last night’s game. The Mets working counts early today can go a long way.
2. The Mets’ bullpen. The Pirates weren’t the only team that had to work yesterday. David Peterson was only able to last 4 1/3 innings. Luckily, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez, Jose Buttó, and Edwin Díaz all turned in good performances that kept the Pirates off the board.
3. Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo went 3-for-4 today at the plate with a stolen base, raising his OPS to .810 on the year. Nimmo is having a fantastic year for the Mets so far and is in line to have season best totals for doubles, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases. Hopefully, the league will recognized him later this afternoon with a selection to his first All-Star game.

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