NY Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Odds, predictions, pitching matchups

The New York Mets are 1st in the NL East and play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at Citi Field. The Mets lost the first series to the Chicago Cubs and lost two out of three games to begin the week. Pittsburgh won four in a row for the the time being and swept the Cincinnati Reds.

Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.80 ERA) and J.T. Brubaker (3-11, 4.36 ERA), the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets are playing a game at Citi Field on Thursday at 7:20 p.m. Carraresco is four wins away from tying his career-high of 18. The right-hander has pitched much better at home this year as he's 8-2 with a 3-35 ERA in 14 starts.

Taijuan Walker is 11-4 with a 3.48 ERA and has won 11 games this season. He has had some struggles recently, including losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 6. Mitch Keller has 5-10 with 4.01 ERA. Keller won his last game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. He's had a scoreless streak of 13 innings. The Mets and the Pirates are playing on Friday at 7:10 p.m.

Chris Bassitt (13-8, 3.44 ERA) and Bryse Wilson (3- 8, 6.03 ERA), the Mets' pitchers, will go head-to-head on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field. Bassit has won six of his last nine starts. Wilson has conceded at least three runs in six straight starts and in eight of last 9 appearances. The Mets beat the Pirates 5-1 in the first game of the doubleheader on September 7.

Jacob deGrom (5-2, 2.01 ERA) and Johan Oviedo (3-3, 3.34 ERA), the Pittsburgh Pirates' starting pitchers, meet in Sunday's series finale at 1:40 p.m. de Grom has lost both of his starts this season. Ovidio has won three of five starts since joining the Pirates. He was traded from the Cardinals at the trade deadline. The team is on a homestand before going on the road next week.