Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – June 15, 2016

The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets square off once again at Citi Field tonight. This will be the second encounter of a three-game set, and the Bucs are hoping to replicate their success in last night’s opener. Can they make it two-consecutive wins over New York? Read on a below for a detailed breakdown of this National League matchup.

For more baseball, click here to check out our preview of the bout between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals.

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets Betting Preview

Where: Citi Field, New York City, NY

When: Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 7:10 PM ET

Line: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast(s): SNY, RTPT

Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-31)

The Pittsburgh Pirates successfully snapped their five-game losing streak at the expense of the New York Mets yesterday, 4-0.  Now the Pirates will try to replicate that result tonight, when they send Jeff Locke (5-4, 5.38 ERA) on the mound.

Locke, however, is coming off his worst start of the season. He was completely blasted by the Rockies last Thursday, surrendering a total of 11 hits, 11 runs and three walks. Pittsburgh lost that game obviously, 11-5.  Locke, who is 2-3 with a 6.53 ERA on the road this year, will have his eyes set on redemption later.

In the case that Locke gets roughed up again, the pressure is definitely on the Bucs to provide some runs at the plate. That being said, you can look to either Starling Marte or Gregory Polanco to lead the charge in doing so. Both are hitting .335 and .297, respectively, this season.

Marte, in particular, is playing really well right now. He’s currently on a five-game hitting streak and has put in one triple, a homer and four RBIs during that stretch. Marte also carries a solid triple-slash line of .333/.363/.512 on the road.

Pittsburgh is 4-6 SU in its past 10 road games. The Pirates are also priced at +1,200 to win the NL Central division.

Betting on the New York Mets (34-29)

Last night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates actually handed the New York Mets their third-consecutive setback. The offense has been pretty stagnant for the reigning National League champions, who are tallying just 2.3 runs per contest during that stretch.

Rest assured though, the duo of Yoenis Cespedes and Juan Lagares will try its best to light up the plate for the Mets in tonight’s second meeting with the Bucs. Both batters went hitless in the opener, but they should be in line for a bounce-back game.

Cespedes, who leads the team in batting (.278), homers (16), RBIs (40) and OBP (.348), is 9-of-25 in the past six games. Lagares, meanwhile, is 2-of-5 lifetime versus Pittsburgh’s starter in Jeff Locke.

Speaking of which, the Mets ought to feel psyched up with Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 2.00 ERA) scheduled to start. He is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and .235 opponents’ batting averages throughout seven home games (six starts) this season.

New York is 5-5 in its past 10 home games. The Mets are also pegged at +500 to win the National League championship.

Writer’s Prediction

Mets win it, 5-1.