Game Thread: Pirates Look For First Series Win Since ASG

The Pirates and Mets will square off for the series rubber match Sunday afternoon.

Joe Musgrove (8-9, 4.23) will make the start for the Bucs. He has been pitching well since mid-June, recording a 3.09 ERA, a 24.2 K% and a 3.9 BB% in his last eight starts. The Pirates have capitalized on his performance, winning six of those eight starts.

He’s upped his slider usage over those starts. From May to mid-June, he was using his slider for 18.6% of his pitches. Since June 21, he’s used it 26.5%. He talked about how he wasn’t using his best weapon enough after his start on June 21.

The Mets will counter with Noah Syndergaard (7-5, 4.10). Thor has gone at least seven innings in each of his last four starts, recording a 1.91 ERA along the way.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m..

Lineups

Mets

RF Jeff McNeil

CF Michael Conforto

1B Todd Frazier

2B Robinson Cano

LF J.D. Davis

SS Amed Rosario

3B Adeiny Hechavarria

C Tomas Nido

RHP Noah Syndergaard

Pirates

2B Adam Frazier

LF Bryan Reynolds

CF Starling Marte

1B Josh Bell

RF Melky Cabrera

3B Colin Moran

SS Kevin Newman

C Jacob Stallings

P Joe Musgrove