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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