Series Preview: Pirates (11-5) at Mets (7-8)

4-14-24 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on X

Great way to finish the Phillies series, but prior to the game the Pirates were dealt a potentially big blow as we learned Marco Gonzales felt some discomfort in his left forearm. Never good for a pitcher, especially not for a guy with his history. The Pirates sent him to the 15-Day IL immediately and recalled Ryder Ryan, which caused them to change the pitching matchups they had posted which you’ll see below.

I don’t believe they’ll need a fifth starter with the off day on Thursday potentially until late next week. Friday would be Mitch Keller‘s normal rest day and it would seem to me if you think this is short term with Marco you might just want to mash something together and buy a trip through the rotation.

For the Mets, to have their record back to one game under .500 after starting 0-5 is pretty crazy. They’ve done so by winning 3 straight series against the Reds, Braves and Royals. They can score runs in bunches and they can pitch too, they just don’t do them both at the same time as often as you need to much of the time.

No matter how you look at it, these are two teams playing good baseball right now, and it should be a competitive series. The Pirates will have to hit the longball to outlast the Mets, that’s their game, and we’re playing them in their home.

Andrew McCutchen sans monkey on his back (Homerun 300) should be fun to watch.

4/15
Mets – Adrian Houser (R) – 0-1, 10 IP, 5.40 ERA, 4 Ks/5 walks, 1.60 WHIP
Pirates – Martin Perez (L) – 1-0, 19 IP, 1.89 ERA,15 Ks/5 walks, 1.21 WHIP

4/16
Mets – Jose Quintana (L) – 1-1, 15.2 IP, 5.55 ERA, 12 Ks/8 walks, 1.53 WHIP
Pirates – TBA – Although I still believe Jared Jones makes sense here.

4/17
Mets – Luis Severino (R) – 1-1, 15 IP, 3.00 ERA, 17 Ks/6 walks, 1.40 WHIP
Pirates – TBA – I believe Bailey Falter still makes sense here.

Mets:
Pete Alonso – He may be a weird guy, but the only thing strange about what he does at the plate is figuring out how to keep him from hurting you. In his last seven games Pete has 4 dingers, 7 RBI, 6 BB, a .360 AVG, .484 OBP and an .880 SLG, I mean if you look up hot hitter in the encyclopedia, there might be a picture of the Mets thumper.

Pirates:
Edward Olivares – Eddie O has really shown up, and he’s done it in a part time role. His last 7 games he has 8 hits, 2 homeruns, .296 AVG, .345 OBP and a SLG of .556.

Mets:
Francisco Alvarez – The Mets backstop has had a rough stretch these last 7 games. 4 hits, 1 walk, 7 Ks, good for a .154 Average, .185 OBP and a .192 SLG. His overall numbers tell a different story, so here’s hoping he stays asleep for 3 more games.

Pirates:
Oneil Cruz – Cruz has not had a great stretch this past week. In 27 At Bats, 3 hits, 1 HR, 1 BB, 12 Ks, a .111 AVG, .143 OBP, .259 SLG.

Key Injuries

Mets:
Kodai Senga is throwing off a mound, but the Pirates will miss him as the Mets wait for him to work his way back.

Pirates:
Marco Gonzales obviously, but we don’t know more than that he’s on the 15-day IL at this point. It will cause some roster moves.

Ji Hwan Bae has been working in CF more than 2B in his rehab stint, should be close to completing his rehab soon.

Who To Watch

Mets:
Infectious bats. When the Mets hit, they all hit, when they don’t they all don’t. Could make for some blowouts in either direction.

Pirates:
How long can the rotation keep this up? They were just dealt their first injury concern and it shouldn’t effect them in the short term, but change is not something any unit on a good run wants to see. A promotion of a starter looms, the sources tell local reporters, it won’t be Paul Skenes, but we could see Quinn Priester who has started strong for Indianapolis.