New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Preview and Odds - 06/09/2023

by Rod Pearson

Thursday, Jun 08, 2023
Game Time: 7:05 pm ET, Friday, June 9, 2023
Venue:  PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Where to Watch:  Sportsnet PT


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Mets -135, Pirates +115; Over/Under:  NL runs
Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Mets -135, Pirates +115; Over/Under:  NL runs
BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Mets -135, Pirates +115; Over/Under:  NL runs

Season Record

New York Mets:  30-32 (3rd place, NL East)
Pittsburgh Pirates:  32-29 (2nd place, NL Central)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Sean Murphy is on a HOT STREAK in the MLB: 57-43 (+$8.3K) start this season! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.


Recent Form
New York Mets:  3-7 last 10
Pittsburgh Pirates:  6-4 last 10



New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Analysis


The Mets are entering this game on a 5 game losing streak and got swept 3-0 in a 3-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays in their last series. They enter this game with a 30-32 record overall and have a road record of 15-20. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Pirates on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Atlanta Braves still to be played on Thursday. Their offense ranks 21st in the MLB with a .711 OPS. Justin Verlander is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Tylor Megill is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 5-3 with a 4.40 ERA this season. His team lost their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 ER, 0 HR, and 5 BB with 5 Ks on 5 hits through 5.1 IP against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Pirates are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak and lost their 3-game series against the Oakland Athletics 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 32-29 record overall and have a home record of 16-15. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Mets on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .730 OPS. Roansy Contreras was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Rich Hill is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 5-5 with a 4.41 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 earned run, 1 homer, and 3 BB with 6 strikeouts on 4 hits through 6.2 innings played against the St Louis Cardinals.


Mets vs Pirates Prediction

The current betting odds have the Pirates listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Pirates are off to a really surprising start as they are above .500 with their record and fighting with the Brewers for the lead in their division. They haven't been great in their last few games as they just lost their series with the worst team in baseball, but the Mets haven't been any better in their games lately either. The Mets offense has gone quiet over the last week and it has led to them being in a huge slump as they continue to slide down the standings on this losing skid. Their pitching hasn't been bad as their starters have been performing well but their bullpen hasn't and they have blown a few leads for them over the last week. The Pirates have been really good on offense this year and Hill is on the mound for them who has actually been pretty good in his starts, coming off another good start in his last. The Pirates will be looking to take advantage of the Mets during their losing skid here and Megill who is on the mound for them has also been a really up and down starter all year. The Mets need a bounce back but so do the Pirates after losing a series to the A's and the Pirates have simply been playing better baseball in their games lately while the Mets continue to struggle. The best way to place a bet here is on the Pirates to win this game.

Mets Pirates Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, June 9, 2023 (7:05 pm ET start time) is Pirates 6 Mets 3.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks, best bets, and expert baseball picks today.  And if you enjoyed this New York Mets Pittsburgh Pirates prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and previews.

MLB Betting Trends


New York Mets: 30-32 (-14 units) on the moneyline in all games. 15-20 (-11.2 units) on the moneyline in road games. TYLOR MEGILL is 15-4 UNDER when the money line is +125 to -125 and 7-3 UNDER in all games.

Pittsburgh Pirates: 32-29 (+6.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 21-23 (+6.1 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 8-1 UNDER after allowing 8 runs or more 2 straight games. 10-3 UNDER after 2 or more consecutive overs.

Key Injuries


New York Mets:  P. Alonso (1B) Ques Thurs - Wrist. T. Locastro (CF) Mid July - Thumb. E. Uceta (RP) Mid June - Ankle. J. Quintana (SP) Late June - Ribs. S. Coonrod (RP) Mid July - Back. E. Hernandez (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. S. Ridings (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. B. Montes de Oca (SP) out for season - Elbow. E. Diaz (RP) out for season - Knee.

Pittsburgh Pirates:  W. Crowe (SP) Late June - Shoulder. V. Velasquez (SP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. J. Choi (1B) Early July - Achilles. J. Brubaker (SP) out for season - Elbow. O. Cruz (SS) Mid Aug - Ankle. J. Garcia (RP) Out indefinitely - Bicep. M. Kranick (SP) Late Aug - Elbow.


Notable Quotes


“That’s super promising that the X-rays are negative. I mean we’re going to get additional imaging with a little bone scan tomorrow just to double check. It’s super encouraging but at the same time we want to see how the swelling plays, you know? Hopefully it goes down sooner rather than later, and I can get right back on the horse." - Pete Alonso after getting hit by a pitch in their loss against the Braves in their game on Wednesday.


“It’s been tough this year to find myself on the mound, but I’m going to continue to work hard to do that and find myself.” - Roansy Contreras after their loss against the A’s in their game on Wednesday.


Starting Lineups


New York Mets
Brandon Nimmo (L) CF
Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
Francisco Lindor (S) SS
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Brett Baty (L) 3B
Starling Marte (R) RF
Daniel Vogelbach (L) DH
Mark Canha (R) LF
Francisco Alvarez (R) C

Pittsburgh Pirates
Andrew McCutchen (R) DH
Bryan Reynolds (S) LF
Connor Joe (R) RF
Carlos Santana (S) 1B
Ke'Bryan Hayes (R) 3B
Rodolfo Castro (S) SS
Mark Mathias (R) 2B
Ji Hwan Bae (L) CF
Jason Delay (R) C

Statistical Leaders


New York Mets
Batting Average:  Michael Perez (.571)
Hits:  Brandon Nimmo (66)
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso (22)
RBI:  Pete Alonso (49)
Stolen Bases:  Starling Marte (17)
Wins:  Tylor Megill (5)
Saves:  David Robertson (10)
ERA:  Edwin Uceta (0.00)

Pittsburgh Pirates
Batting Average:  Drew Maggi (.333)
Hits:  Bryan Reynolds (62)
Home Runs:  Jack Suwinski (11)
RBI:  Bryan Reynolds (38)
Stolen Bases:  Ji Hwan Bae (18)
Wins:  Mitch Keller (7)
Saves:  David Bednar (13)
ERA:  Yerry De Los Santos (0.00)

Managers:
New York Mets: Buck Showalter (2nd season)
Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Shelton (4th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2024 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.