The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets clash Monday in game 1 of an MLB series at Citi Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pirates look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Pirates are 8.5 games out of a wild card spot. The Pirates pitching staff is 22nd in ERA (4.56), 24th in WHIP (1.39) and 13th in quality starts (43). The Pirates’ offense is 24th in runs per game (4.17), 26th in batting average (.235) and 25th in homers (116). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 109 hits and 56 RBI, while Andrew McCutchen and Ke’Bryan Hayes have combined for 168 hits and 74 RBI. Quinn Priester gets the ball, and he is 2-1 with a 8.75 ERA and 20 strikeouts this season. This will be Priester’s first career game against the Mets.

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

• The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine night games following a home loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games following a loss.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last nine games at Citi Field.
• The Pirates have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last eight night games at Citi Field against NL East opponents.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six games at Citi Field.

New York Mets Betting Preview

The Mets need another win after losing 10 of their last 13 games. The Mets are also 8.5 games out of a wild card spot. The Mets pitching staff is 21st in ERA (4.53), 22nd in WHIP (1.38) and 19th in quality starts (38). The Mets offense is 22nd in runs per game (4.27), 25th in batting average (.235) and 11th in homers (144). Brandon Nimmo leads the Mets with 111 hits and 47 RBI, while Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor have combined for 216 hits and 109 RBI. Carlos Carrasco gets the ball, and he is 3-6 with a 6.42 ERA and 57 strikeouts this season. Carrasco is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA and 29 strikeouts in his career against the Pirates.

New York Mets Team Facts

• The Mets have lost eight of their last nine games against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Mets have failed to cover the run line four of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Mets have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against the Pirates at Citi Field.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last three games between the Pirates and Mets.
• The Mets have led after 3 innings in each of their last nine games against the Pirates at Citi Field.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Mets ranks 29th in the league for doubles this season (158).
• The New York Mets ranks 28th in the league for hits this season (918).
• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 27th in the league for hits this season (919).
• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks T5th in the league for triples this season (21).

Randy’s Pick

I’m not running to the window to back either of these teams or these pitchers, but somebody has to win. Quinn Priester has been god awful through 23.2 innings with his 8.75 ERA and 1.90 WHIP. Carlos Carrasco hasn’t been good, but his 6.42 ERA and 1.60 WHIP is better than what Priester has had to offer. The Mets are also coming off a nice comeback win last night against the Braves, which could provide some carry over to this game? Who knows which side is going to show up. I’d give the edge to the Mets at home.