Pirates vs Mets Prediction - MLB Picks 8/14/23

New York Mets (53-65) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (53-65)

Game Info: Monday, August 14, 2023 at 7:10 pm (Citi Field)

Carlos Carrasco (3-6) (6.42) vs Quinn Priester (2-1) (8.75)

Betting Odds: New York Mets / Pittsburgh Pirates --- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Pittsburgh Pirates will head to Queens to begin a three-game set with the New York Mets this Monday from Citi Field on SNY.

Pirates Preview & Projected Starter

Pittsburgh comes in at 53-65 after dropping two of three to Cincinnati. The Pirates let the Reds steal the series finale in walkoff fashion, and they’ve now traded their previous five games. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 4.11 runs per game, while batting .235, with a .320 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.50 ERA, with a 1.38 WHIP.

Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.75 ERA, 20 Ks) will get the call for Pittsburgh. The rookie pitcher had a tough time with Atlanta at home last week, allowing nine hits and four runs en route to a Pirates loss. Priester’s given up four runs or more in four or his five more in, but he’ll have a chance to turn things around if he gets to face an unmotivated Mets team.

Pirates Player Trends & Props

Bryan Reynolds homered twice in the game three loss, and he’s first on the team in hits (109), with splits of .270/17/56.
Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded a hit in five of the last six games, and he’s batting .254, with 43 RBI for the season.
Jack Suwinski leads the club in home runs (21), with 56 RBI.

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

The Pirates have lost each of their last five night games at Citi Field following a loss.
The Pirates have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games against National League opponents following a loss.

Mets Preview & Projected Starter

New York moved to 53-65 after dropping three of four Atlanta. The Mets avoided being swept for the second time by the Braves this season with a game three win, and they’ll look to win consecutive games for the first time this month here. he New York offense is scoring 3.98 runs per game, while batting .238, with a .318 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.39 ERA, with a 1.35 WHIP.

Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42 ERA, 57 Ks) will get the ball for New York. The fourteenth-year pitcher held his own against the Cubs at home last time out, allowing two runs through five innings. Carrasco has been unstable on the mound this season, and after allowing four runs or more in five starts post-All Star break, it will be interesting to see how he comes out to face Pittsburgh here.

Mets Player Trends & Props

Pete Alonso collected one lone hit in the Atlanta series, but he’s still the Mets leader in home runs (35) and RBI (87).
Francisco Lindor plated a run in the game four win, and he’s second on the team with 22 homers and 70 RBI.
Brandon Nimmo has multiple hits in his last two games, and he leads NYM in batting (.259) and hits (111), with 15 HR and 47 RBI.
Jeff McNeil brings a seven-game hit streak into this series, and he’s right behind Nimmo for the team-lead in batting at .258.

New York Mets Team Facts

The Mets have lost seven of their last eight games following a win.
The Mets have failed to cover the run line four of their last five night games against teams that held a losing record.
The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the last three night games between the Pirates and Mets.
The Mets have led after 3 innings in each of their last five night games against the Pirates at Citi Field.

Corey’s Free Pick

Two struggling ball clubs will face off this Monday, and you’d like to think the Mets come out and play ball after getting back into the win column last night. What’s happened in Queens this season has been a bit unfortunate, but this is a manageable matchup against a rookie pitcher who’s struggled with containment. Let’s lean on the Mets to take game one at home here.