Mets' Starling Marte Set to Shine Against Pirates in PNC Park Clash

The Mets are gearing up for an exciting showdown against the Pirates at PNC Park on June 28, 2025. As both teams prepare to take the field, fans and analysts alike are eager to see which players will emerge as key contributors in this highly anticipated matchup. Let's delve into the recent performances of some standout players from both teams and make predictions about who might have a significant impact on the game.

First Inning

The opening innings of any baseball game set the tone, and for the Mets, outfielder Starling Marte has been a consistent performer. Over his last three games, Marte has shown impressive hitting prowess with an average of .333 and an OPS of 0.583. His ability to drive in runs was evident with an RBI in one of those games against the Braves on June 25th. Marte's performance is crucial for the Mets as they aim to establish an early lead against the Bucs.

On the Pirates' side, Bryan Reynolds has been a reliable presence in their lineup. Although his recent stats show a modest batting average of .250 over three games, Reynolds' potential to deliver clutch hits makes him a Pirates player to watch. His fielding skills also contribute significantly to Pittsburgh's defensive efforts.

Middle Innings

As we move into the middle innings, pitching becomes increasingly important. The Mets' bullpen features several standout performers, including Edwin Díaz and José Buttó. Díaz has maintained an ERA of 0.0 across his appearances, demonstrating his ability to keep opposing batters at bay with a WHIP of 0.0 and a K/9 rate of 18.0 in one game on June 23rd.

For the Pirates, Paul Skenes is expected to play a pivotal role on the mound despite having faced challenges with an ERA of 9.0 in his recent outing against Milwaukee on June 25th. Skenes' strikeout capability remains strong with a K/9 rate of 9.0, indicating that he can be effective if he finds his rhythm early.

Late Innings

In the late innings, strategic plays and timely hits often determine outcomes. The Mets have seen promising performances from infielder Brett Baty who boasts a batting average of .500 with an OPS of 1.334 over three games, including two flawless fielding displays.

Returning players for Mets like Francisco Lindor could also provide much-needed depth and experience as they face off against Pittsburgh's defense led by Nick Gonzales whose recent hitting spree includes a perfect game at bat with two RBIs contributing significantly to their offensive efforts.

As we anticipate this thrilling encounter between these two competitive teams at PNC Park, it's clear that there are numerous player battles in Mets vs Pirates that could tip the scales either way.

Fans can catch all this action live from PNC Park in Pittsburgh or tune into SportsNet PT for full coverage starting at 4:05 PM EDT on June 28th! Don't miss out—share your thoughts on social media about who you think will be key players during this exciting clash!