In response, the Mets are doing what any smart front office would: scanning the trade market with growing urgency. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Noah Hiles, the Mets have recently contacted the Pirates about Mitch Keller. That nugget was shared by Mets Batflip on X, sparking a flurry of speculation about Keller’s fit in Queens.

BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series at home against the New York Mets on Friday. Pittsburgh has a 32-50 record overall and a 20-21 record in home games. Pirates pitchers have a collective 3.87 ERA, which ranks ninth in the NL.