The Pittsburgh Pirates have experienced trouble scoring runs throughout most of this season, however that hasn’t been a problem this weekend against the New York Mets.
The Pirates will look to secure a sweep of the three-game series against the visiting Mets on Sunday afternoon.
Pittsburgh scored nine runs in each of the first two games against the Mets, who will enter the contest having lost 12 of their past 15 games.
The Pirates are vying for their second sweep of the season and first since taking all three games at home against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 6-8.
“Hitting is contagious, keep the line rolling and give guys a chance to get up there and do some damage,” Pirates catcher Joey Bart said on the team’s post-game broadcast on Saturday. “We’ve been doing a good job of that lately.”
The Pirates have taken advantage of a weakened Mets rotation, which lost one of its key members this week when Griffin Canning underwent season-ending surgery for a ruptured left Achilles.
Veteran right-hander Frankie Montas (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will try to get New York back on track when he makes his second start of the season. Montas was activated from the injured list this past Tuesday after recovering from a strained right lat.
Montas looked a little more like himself in his first start Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, scattering three hits and striking out five batters over five shutout innings. The Mets ended up losing that game after their bullpen gave up seven runs in a 7-4 defeat.
“I think I just went out there and tried to get quick outs and do my best to help,” Montas said after that start. “When I was in the minors, I was just trying to get my pitches in and get my pitch count and try to get ready for my opportunity and do my job – get people out.”
Montas has faced the Pirates only once in his career, notching a no-decision on May 5, 2019. He gave up one run on five hits while striking out five batters over six innings.
New York has been held to two runs or fewer in seven of its past eight losses.
Montas will oppose rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (1-2, 4.45), who will pitch on three days’ rest after working in relief on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Burrows entered in relief of Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who lasted only four innings and gave up four runs in what would end up being a 4-2 loss. Burrows did not allow a hit and struck out one batter over 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
It was a solid recovery for Burrows, who gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four in 4 2/3 innings in a 6-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on June 20.
Burrows has yet to face the Mets in his career.
–Field Level Media
