Series Preview: Mets Welcome Struggling Pirates

Well, that was fun!

In one of their most challenging matchups of the 2025 season, the New York Mets took two of three games from the Chicago Cubs. Their pitching was on point for most of the series, while the lineup came through in multiple big-time spots throughout the weekend. Against one of the best teams in the National League, the Mets made a statement.

At 26-15, the Mets are tied with the Tigers for the second-best record in the sport, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers. And, after the Cubs series, New York welcomes the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates to Citi Field to start the week.

Pittsburgh is currently 14-27, good for the second-worst record in the National League. Their lineup has been abysmal, and the pitching has not been able to cover all of the team’s warts. However, the Pirates are coming off beating the Atlanta Braves twice in a three-game series, so there may be a slight improvement in store for the team.

How do the teams stack up this week on the mound? What is the key storyline, and what is the result we can expect from the series?

The previews keep rolling with the season, so strap in and follow along as we get you ready for the latest slate of games for the New York Mets!

Pitching Matchups

Monday: David Peterson (2–2, 3.05 ERA)  vs. Paul Skenes (3–4, 2.77 ERA)

• Against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last start, David Peterson started to find the strikeouts once again. Despite allowing two runs and walking four batters, the lefty struck out six in six innings. He is missing bats with his slider and changeup, but his fastball and sinker are getting smoked by opposing batters. Peterson is seeing a high hard-hit rate off his pitches despite a lack of barrels from hitters. If he can dance around the strikeout with his offspeed pitches, Peterson should be able to get on track. Considering the opponent, it is likely the tall lefty has a breakout performance on Monday. On the other hand, the Mets have the opportunity to face greatness on the mound. Paul Skenes has some of the best pitches in baseball, a great attack plan every start, and the ability to keep the Pirates in games they have zero business being in. New York’s lineup must be ready to roll, or the Pirates could easily steal this one. 

Tuesday: Kodai Senga (4–2, 1.16 ERA)vs. Mitch Keller (1–4, 4.40 ERA) 

• After Peterson on Monday, the Mets roll out one of their mainline pitchers on Tuesday night. Despite some spotty command that led to five walks, Senga allowed zero runs over six innings pitched against the Diamondbacks. He allowed only two hits and struck out four batters as well. Against a weak Pittsburgh lineup, Senga can twirl a gem. The Pirates will trot out Mitch Keller to oppose Senga in this matchup. Keller has success with his sweeper (.143 BA) and curveball but has seen his fastball, slider, and sinker have been crushed this season. Until he finds the touch on his main pitches, Keller will likely struggle, and the Mets are in a prime position to take advantage. 

Wednesday: Clay Holmes (5–1, 2.74 ERA) vs. Bailey Falter (2–3, 4.36 ERA)

• Like Tuesday’s game, the last game of the series sees a standout Mets pitcher face a solid Pirates pitcher. Clay Holmes has arguably been the ace of New York’s staff in 2025; with a 2.74 ERA and a pitching run value of eight, the former reliever has steadily turned into a frontline pitcher. With a lethal arsenal of pitches headlined by his slider, Holmes can dominate the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s Falter does not wow with his arsenal, but he has a solid fastball and sinker that register as positive pitches in terms of run value. He is a pitcher who has run into bad luck this year but is also susceptible to giving up runs. The Mets will not have it overly difficult against Falter, but they cannot overlook Pittsburgh’s solid lefty. 

The Main Headline

In sports, the hardest thing to do is not to overlook a lower opponent. And when it comes to the New York Mets, that is the biggest headline of this week’s series.

Everyone understands that the Mets are a much better team than the Pirates. They have a deeper lineup, a better pitching staff, and a much better bullpen. New York is built for success in 2025, while Pittsburgh is poised to spend another year at the bottom of the NL Central.

In simple terms, the Mets must take care of business early in the week. From Francisco Lindor to the lineup needs tokeep its foot on the gas. The pitching needs to stay locked in and continue to perform at a very high level. New York, as crazy as it sounds, really needs to do everything in their power to sweep this series.

Why is this the case? The Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers are New York’s next opponents after the series with Pittsburgh. After facing a weaker opponent, the Mets will face some of the best that MLB has to offer.

If a lack of focus occurs, the Mets may not only regret their losses to the Pirates in May but also when it comes down to playoff standings and seedings at the end of the year. For that reason alone, the overall scope of this series is my main headline of the week.

Prediction

SWEEP!

After their series win against the Cubs, I see the Mets continuing to roll and sweeping the Pirates. Holmes and Senga will dominate the current last-place team in the NL Central and notch victories, while Peterson and the bullpen will help the Mets overcome Sknese. Edwin Díaz will get another save and continue to look dominant. Francisco Lindor will hit another home run and get his batting average above .305 after this series. Juan Soto will start another hot streak and notch four RBIs over the series. Brett Baty and Mark Vientos will also continue to see their play elevate as they compete with each other at the Major League level. Heading into a Battle of New York/Subway Series, I have the Mets at 29-15. 

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