In this article we will formulate a Mets vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, June 28th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

New York Mets Betting Preview
The New York Mets are 48-35 this season after they lost game one by a score of 9-1 on Friday night. New York cut the deficit to 4-1 in the fourth inning, but they couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Mets recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Soto, who went 1-2 with one home run and one RBI in the loss. New York started Peterson, who allowed seven hits and five earned runs over 4.2 innings for the loss, while Tidwell allowed four earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Mets split four games with the Braves and lost two out of three against the Phillies. New York has lost four of their last six games and they are currently second in the NL East standings. The New York pitching staff has a 3.28 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 365 runs with a .245 batting average and a .324 on base percentage this season. Pete Alonso has led New York with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs, while Juan Soto has added 20 home runs and 46 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Paul Blackburn, who is 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP over 17.2 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 33-50 this year after they won game one by a score of 9-1 on Friday. Pittsburgh scored four runs in the second inning and they were able to score the last four runs in the game to pull away in the win. The Pirates recorded 12 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Reynolds, who went 2-5 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Keller, who allowed five hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings for the win, while Mattson picked up a hold. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost two out of three against the Brewers and two out of three against the Rangers. Pittsburgh has won three of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.83 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 276 runs with a .230 batting average and a .303 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added nine home runs and 42 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bailey Falter, who is 6-3 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 85.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Mets will beat the Pirates
The Mets have won each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
The Pirates have lost each of their last six day games against the Mets following a win.
The Mets have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites against National League opponents following a loss.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven games against the Mets following a win.
The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four home games.

Total Runs Facts
Each of the Pirates’ last seven day games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Six of the Mets’ last seven road games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Mets’ last six games.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 11 of the last 12 games between the Mets and Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in two of his last three home appearances against the Mets.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates’ last three games as underdogs against NL opponents.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Pirates as home underdogs against NL opponents.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts
Paul Blackburn has recorded four or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine Saturday appearances.
Juan Soto has recorded at least one hit in 20 of his last 21 appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Jeff McNeil has hit at least one home run in each of his last three appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
Jesse Winker has recorded at least one Double in three of his last four appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.

Mets vs Pirates Prediction 
Pittsburgh opened this series with a dominating win in game one, but I think New York will bounce back here. The Pirates are 21-21 at home this year, while the Mets are 19-23 on the road. New York has been very inconsistent over the last three weeks and Blackburn has had plenty of struggles, but he faces one of the worst offenses in the MLB here. Pittsburgh is starting Falter, who has allowed 3+ earned runs in three of his last four starts. I think Blackburn will have his best outing of the season and I like the Mets on the run line here. 

David Racey's Pick: Mets -1.5