Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Scheduled First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET
Broadcast: SNY, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB.TV
WEATHER FORECAST — PITTSBURGH, PA (7:05 p.m. ET)
Temperature: 78°F
Humidity: 61%
Wind: 5 mph blowing out to left
Conditions: Clear skies
Ballpark Impact: Slight boost for right‑handed pull hitters; otherwise neutral hitting environment.
CURRENT ROSTERS
New York Mets
Lineup:
Brandon Nimmo — CF
Francisco Lindor — SS
Pete Alonso — 1B
J.D. Martinez — DH
Starling Marte — RF
Jeff McNeil — 2B
Brett Baty — 3B
Harrison Bader — LF
Francisco Alvarez — C
Bench: Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor, Luis Guillorme
Bullpen: Edwin Díaz, Brooks Raley, Adam Ottavino, Reed Garrett, Sean Reid‑Foley
Pittsburgh Pirates
Lineup:
Oneil Cruz — SS
Bryan Reynolds — LF
Ke’Bryan Hayes — 3B
Rowdy Tellez — DH
Henry Davis — C
Jack Suwinski — RF
Nick Gonzales — 2B
Michael A. Taylor — CF
Jared Triolo — 1B
Bench: Ji‑Hwan Bae, Connor Joe, Jason Delay
Bullpen: David Bednar, Aroldis Chapman, Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski, Josh Fleming
INJURY REPORT
New York Mets
Kodai Senga – Out (shoulder)
Tylor Megill – Out (forearm)
Starling Marte – Probable (hip tightness)
Jeff McNeil – Questionable (back spasms)
Pittsburgh Pirates
Mitch Keller – Out (elbow)
Andrew McCutchen – Out (Achilles)
Ke’Bryan Hayes – Probable (wrist)
Henry Davis – Probable (thumb)
RECENT TEAM FORM
New York Mets — Last 5 Games
L 3–6 vs Atlanta
W 7–4 vs Atlanta
L 2–5 at Miami
L 1–4 at Miami
W 6–3 at Miami Trend: Inconsistent offense; bullpen showing signs of fatigue.
Pittsburgh Pirates — Last 5 Games
W 5–2 vs Cincinnati
W 4–3 vs Cincinnati
L 1–7 at Milwaukee
L 2–6 at Milwaukee
W 8–4 at Milwaukee Trend: Offense warming up; Reynolds and Cruz driving production.
SERIES HISTORY
2024–2026: Pirates lead 10–7
At PNC Park: Pirates lead 6–3
Last meeting (2026): Pirates 5, Mets 4
Key trend: Pittsburgh’s left‑handed power has consistently hurt Mets pitching.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
1. Pete Alonso (NYM) vs Paul Miodzinski (PIT)
Miodzinski’s sinker/slider combo vs Alonso’s elite fastball damage. If Miodzinski keeps the ball down, he can induce weak contact; mistakes up in the zone are dangerous.
2. Oneil Cruz (PIT) vs Tyler Thornton (NYM)
Thornton’s rookie command vs Cruz’s massive strike zone. Cruz punishes elevated fastballs; Thornton must work down and away to avoid barrels.
3. Francisco Lindor (NYM) vs Colin Holderman (PIT)
Lindor has hit Holderman well historically. Late‑inning matchup favors New York if Lindor reaches with runners on.
4. Bryan Reynolds (PIT) vs Edwin Díaz (NYM)
Reynolds handles elite velocity better than most. If this becomes a ninth‑inning duel, Reynolds’ ability to shorten his swing is key.
PITCHING OUTLOOK
Tyler Thornton — RHP, Mets
MLB Debut Season
Fastball: 95–97 mph
Slider: Primary out pitch
Concern: Command inconsistency; Pirates’ lineup punishes mistakes
Advantage: Pirates struggle vs high‑spin fastballs
Paul Miodzinski — RHP, Pirates
2026 Stats: 4.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Strengths: Ground‑ball rate above 50%, effective vs right‑handed hitters
Concern: Vulnerable to left‑handed power (Nimmo, Lindor)
Advantage: Mets struggle vs sinker/slider profiles
BETTING TRENDS
Mets are 2–6 in their last 8 road games.
Pirates are 5–2 in their last 7 home games.
Unders have hit in 4 of the last 6 Mets games.
Overs have hit in 5 of the last 7 Pirates games.
Pirates have won 6 of the last 8 meetings at PNC Park.
GAME ODDS
New York Mets 8.5
Pittsburgh Pirates – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 6, 2026
