Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Picks, Predictions, Odds

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Betting Analysis

The Pirates visit the Mets for the first of a four-game set at Citi Field on Thursday, September 15th, 2022.

Pittsburgh ranks fifth in the National League Central with records of 55-88 overall and 27-45 on the road, which trails the division leading St. Louis Cardinals by 29 games. The Mets are in first place in the National League East with a record of 89-55, highlighted by a sturdy 46-26 record at home.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Betting Prediction

With just 19 games left on their schedule the Pittsburgh Pirates have been completely eliminated from all playoff hopes as they are currently 28.5 games behind the Cardinals for lead of the NL Central and 23.0 games behind the Padres for the third NL Wild Card spot. Pittsburgh most recently swept Cincinnati in a four-game series and have won six of their last 10 games. Their offense ranks as one of the worst in the league with a batting average of .223 (29th), on base percentage of .289 (28th), slugging percentage of .366 (27th) and have scored 515 total runs (27th). Pittsburgh’s bullpen has also struggled throughout this season with a WHIP of 1.42 (27th) and team ERA of 4.61 (26th). The right-hander JT Brubaker (3-11, 4.36 ERA) is expected to start for the Pirates Thursday.  

After losing to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night, the Mets are now just a half-game in front of the second-place Atlanta Braves. While they would prefer to win the division, a Wild Card berth is still in store for the Mets if the Braves are able to surpass them by the end of the year. New York was swept in their most recent three game series with the Cubs and have lost six of their last 10 games. Despite their struggles as of late, the Mets still have one of the top offenses in the league with a batting average of .258 (5th), on base percentage of .329 (2nd), slugging percentage of .410 (10th) and have scored 671 total runs (5th). Their bullpen has also been solid this season with a WHIP of 1.20 (8th) and team ERA of 3.56 (7th). Right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.80 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound Thursday.  

The Mets are heavy favorites entering game one of this series. This is not too surprising considering how poorly the Pirates have played this season. Not to mention the Mets won two of three against the Pirates last week. I think the Mets runline is the play in this matchup. JT Brubaker has only had a handful of quality starts this season and I expect the Mets offense to have themselves a day. No value in the Mets moneyline so the runline is the best bet here. 

Score Prediction: Mets 5, Pirates 2
Best Bet: Mets -1.5 (-120)

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Betting Odds

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Betting Resources

• Date: Thursday, September 15, 2022
• Matchup: NL Central vs. NL East
• Venue: Citi Field
• Location: New York, New York
• Time-TV: 7:10 p.m. ET – FOX

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets – Current Form

The Pirates were tripped up by the St. Louis Cardinals last Sunday, but grabbed four of four games last Wednesday against the Reds. Pittsburgh didn’t allow the Reds any runs on Tuesday in the third of four contests. The Mets grabbed two of three games last Sunday against the Miami Marlins, but were tripped up by the Cubs last Wednesday. Against the Chicago Cubs, New York only managed one run in the second game of the series on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets – Pitching Matchup

Pittsburgh: JT Brubaker (3-11, 4.36 ERA)

The Pirates’ right-hander JT Brubaker owns a 3-11 record and 4.36 ERA in his 26th start of the season. Brubaker also posted a 1.42 WHIP, while striking out 140 and walking 51 batters in 138.1 innings this season. In JT Brubaker’s last start, the Pirates were no match for the St. Louis Cardinals, losing 5-7 on September 10, 2022. The 28-year-old earned no decision in this game, having tossed six innings and yielded three runs on six hits, while striking out three and issuing two walks. Pitching on the road this season, Brubaker is 0-7 with a 3.88 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP, 31 walks and 83 strikeouts over 72 innings in 14 starts.

New York: Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.80 ERA)

Carlos Carrasco is on the hill for the Mets in this contest as he makes his 25th start of the season hoping to build some positive momentum. He comes in 14-6 with a 3.80 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, 35 walks and 132 strikeouts over 135 innings of work this season. Carrasco owns a home record of 8-2 this season, in 14 starts at the Citi Field. In those outings, he has posted a 3.35 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, 25 walks, and 76 strikeouts in 78 innings of work.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets – Series History

Pittsburgh had a very solid 2021 season in its head-to-head encounters, going 4-3 overall. New York has defeated Pittsburgh two times in three meetings this season.