Game Chat: Pirates vs Mets, 1:40 P.M.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 • 1:40 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Nolan McLean (0-0, -.–)
SNY

The New York Mets go for the sweep this afternoon in Queens.

On Thursday, the Mets took the first game of the season in pesky fashion, working nine walks, scoring 11 runs and making the Pirates toss over 190 pitches.

Saturday, neither team could buy a hit with runners in scoring position, but the Pirates were able to take the lead against the Mets twice in extra innings. The Mets tied the game after the 10th, squandering a bases loaded with no outs situation, but then came back in the 11th to win with thunder on a Luis Robert Jr. walk-off home run.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – LF
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Jorge Polanco – DH
5. Luis Robert Jr. – CF
6. Brett Baty – 1B
7. Marcus Semien – 2B
8. Carson Benge – RF
9. Luis Torrens – C

Starting Pitcher: Nolan McLean

Nolan McLean tried to save the Mets’ season in 2025. He made eight starts across the final two months of the year getting five wins. He pitched 48 innings with a 2.06 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 1.042 WHIP, and a 196 ERA+.

McLean spent a good chunk of spring training with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, starting the championship game allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings from four hits and a walk while striking out four.

After an unusual March, his next step is to get back into a routine for the long, regular season. The only player on the Pirates who has seen McLean in a major league game is Marcell Ozuna (0-for-3, K).

Pirates Lineup

1. Oneil Cruz – CF
2. Brandon Lowe – 2B
3. Bryan Reynolds – DH
4. Ryan O’Hearn – RF
5. Jared Triolo – SS
6. Spencer Horowitz – 1B
7. Nick Gonzales – 3B
8. Henry Davis – C
9. Jake Magnum – LF

Starting Pitcher: Carmen Mlodzinski

The Pirates’ rotation is full of homegrown players, and the Mets will face another this afternoon in Carson Mlodzinski. Last season, Mlodzinski split time between the bullpen and the rotation, totaling 34 games (12 starts) pitching 99 innings with a 3.55 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.303 WHIP and a 121 ERA+

He was way more effective as a reliever, posting a 2.15 ERA once being moved to the bullpen than his 4.99 ERA as a starter. Mlodzinski made one extended relief appearance against the Mets last season holding the Mets two hits and no runs over 3 2/3 innings while striking out two.

The Mets have the following career stats against him:

• Francisco Alvarez 1-1, 2B
• Brett Baty 0-2, K
• Bo Bichette 0-1, BB
• Francisco Lindor 0-1
• Jorge Polanco 0-1
• Luis Robert Jr. 0-2, 2 BB
• Marcus Semien 0-0, BB
• Juan Soto 0-2, K
• Tyrone Taylor 1-2, 2B
• Luis Torrens 1-1
• Mark Vientos 0-3, K

Game Notes

The Syracuse Mets (Triple-A) dropped their game on Saturday, as they’ve know split their first two games of the season. Jonah Tong got the win in the opener.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Pirates heavy bullpen use. Mlodzinski started last season as a starter and would normally go somewhere between 65 and 75 pitches with a season high of 99. The rest of season as a bulk reliever, the highest he would go was the 40s. He did get stretched out in spring training, last pitching in an official game on March 14 totaling 64 pitches over five innings against the Baltimore Orioles. The Pirates are going need him to go deep in this afternoon’s game. Justin Lawrence, Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto have all pitched in consecutive games. The three pitchers who had the last two days off, Mason Montgomery, Yohan Ramirez and Isaac Mattson, all pitched at least 36 pitches on Thursday.
2. Sean Manaea? We know the Mets plan on Manaea into a game at some point during the first turn through the rotation. Saturday’s extra-inning game means the Mets have used every reliever in their bullpen through the first two games of the season, with every except Tobias Myers, who did long relief on Thursday, pitching in Saturday’s game. If Manaea gets into Sunday’s game his velocity will be the story. His velocity has has been 3-to-4 mph below his career numbers, topping out around 89 mph all spring.
3. Brett Baty at first. Sunday lineups can get funky, but the Mets are keeping things the same this afternoon except with Luis Torrens getting the start at catcher. There is a defensive switch though with Brett Baty getting the start at first base and Polanco starting aa the designated hitter. Baty got a bit of time at first base this spring and it looks like the Mets feel that he is ready to go on day three of the season.

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