The week ahead: Pirates visit Mets, Phillies for 6-game road swing

The week ahead

at Mets

7:10 p.m. Monday (SN PIT)

7:10 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT)

7:10 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT)

• The Mets feature one of baseball’s best pitching staffs. Collectively, the club owned a 2.94 ERA, third-best in MLB, as it wrapped up a three-game road series vs. the Diamondbacks. The Mets’ 338 strikeouts and 121 runs allowed also rank third in baseball. Former Pirate Clay Holmes has played a key role in his first season with the Mets. Following parts of four campaigns with the cross-town New York Yankees, in which he experienced sustained success as a reliever, the Mets this year have deployed Holmes as a starter. Through seven outings, he posted a 4-1 record and 2.95 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 36 2/3 innings.

at Phillies

6:45 p.m. Friday (SN PIT)

6:05 p.m Saturday (SN PIT)

1:35 p.m. Sunday (SN PIT)

• The Phillies look primed to continue battling New York for an NL East crown this season. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has been a big part of Philadelphia’s success, as the 32-year old, in Year 4 with the Phillies, was tied for the most homers in baseball (along with Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh) with 12 as of Wednesday. Schwarber clubbed 38 homers with 104 RBIs last season and, in 2023, hit a career-high 47, also finishing with 104 RBIs. For all Schwarber’s homers, strikeouts also come with regularity, as he owns a 33.5% punch out rate. But this season, Schwarber has exercised better plate discipline, as he’s drawn a team-high 28 walks, posting a 22.6% walk rate so far.