clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Pirates vs. Mets - 7/18/21

The Pirates go for the series sweep against the Mets this afternoon.

By Jake Slebodnick
Pittsburgh Pirates v New York Mets - Game One Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

New York Mets (47-42) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (36-56) - Sunday, July 18, 2021 @ 1:05 p.m.

Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: 93.7 The Fan

SB Nation Mets site: Amazin’ Avenue

Starting Pitchers

Mets: Taijuan Walker (7-3, 2.50 ERA)

Pirates: J.T. Brubaker (4-9, 4.47 ERA)

Probable Starting Lineups (subject to last-minute changes)

Mets

  1. Brandon Nimmo (CF)
  2. Pete Alonso (1B)
  3. Jeff McNeil (2B)
  4. J.D. Davis (3B)
  5. Dominic Smith (LF)
  6. Michael Conforto (RF)
  7. Jonathan Villar (SS)
  8. Tomas Nido (C)
  9. Taijuan Walker (P)

Pirates

  1. Adam Frazier (2B)
  2. Wilmer Difo (3B)
  3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
  4. Ben Gamel (LF)
  5. John Nogowski (1B)
  6. Gregory Polanco (RF)
  7. Michael Perez (C)
  8. Kevin Newman (SS)
  9. J.T. Brubaker (P)

After winning their third straight Saturday night, thanks to a walk-off grand slam by Jacob Stallings, the Pirates and Mets round out their 2021 series this afternoon in what should be an exciting bout.

J.T. Brubaker will toe the rubber for the Pirates. He’s 1-5 with a 4.81 ERA in his last seven games. In his last outing on July 9, he surrendered six runs on six hits in just five innings of work - marking his shortest outing since June 14, where he was pulled after five innings against the Washington Nationals.

Wilmer Difo gets the start at third and bats second in today’s lineup, giving him a much-needed promotion in the lineup. He’s hit a home run in each of his last two games, both which sparked rallies for the Pirates, and he has a .406 average in his last 14 games.

And behind the dish, we have Jaco-... Michael Perez? Interesting move considering Stallings, you know, won the game last night?! I guess Shelton’s playing the matchup, so let’s see how this works out.

ROSTER MOVES: Earlier today, the Pirates reinstated RHP Duane Underwood Jr. from the injured list. In a corresponding move, RHP Nick Mears was optioned back to Triple-A.

Stay tuned after the game for the “Talk the Plank” podcast. Join Nathan and Jake as they recap all the action on Spotify Greenroom.

More From Bucs Dugout