Game thread: Pirates and Mets

Two teams in free fall will meet at Citi Field Monday. The Pirates- losers of five straight- will send Jameson Taillon (4-6, 4.03) to the bump to face the Mets- who have lost six straight- and Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.85).

The Pirates are shuffling the top of their lineup, batting Starling Marte leadoff, followed by Josh Bell second and Josh Harrison third. Even though he’s batted leadoff for most of the season, Harrison has significantly better splits when there is a runner on base (.197/.242/265 with the bases empty, .429/.453/.643 with a man on base). The change in the lineup is coming after a four game series where the Pirates only scored six runs in 40 innings.

The Mets’ offense has been anemic as well, but they have found a hidden gem in former Pirate Jose Bautista. Joey Bats is slashing .276/.476/.517 in his 30 games as a Metropolitan.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m..

Pirates

CF Starling Marte

1B Josh Bell

2B Josh Harrison

3B Colin Moran

C Elias Diaz

LF Corey Dickerson

RF Gregory Polanco

SS Jordy Mercer

P Jameson Taillon

Mets

CF Michael Conforto

RF Jose Bautista

2B Asdrubal Cabrera

LF Dominic Smith

C Devin Mesoraco

SS Jose Reyes

1B Kevin Plawecki

3B Luis Guillorme

P Seth Lugo