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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