Mets Host Pirates in Saturday Matinee at Citi Field

New York looks to build on Opening Day win as Pittsburgh seeks first victory of the season.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:05pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking a baseball game between two teams down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant colors like royal blue, orange, and emerald green.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Mets and Pirates, capturing the dynamic energy of the game through a fragmented, geometric lens.NYC Today

The New York Mets will host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a Saturday afternoon matchup at Citi Field. The Mets are coming off a win on Opening Day, while the Pirates are looking to bounce back after dropping their first game of the 2026 season. David Peterson will take the mound for the Mets, facing off against Mitch Keller of the Pirates.

Why it matters

This early-season NL matchup features two teams with different expectations for the 2026 campaign. The Mets are hoping to build on a promising 2025 season and make a push for the playoffs, while the Pirates are in the midst of a rebuild and looking to develop their young talent.

The details

The Mets will send left-hander David Peterson to the hill, who had a solid 2025 season with a 9-6 record and 4.22 ERA. The Pirates will counter with right-hander Mitch Keller, who struggled with a 6-15 record and 4.19 ERA a year ago. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field in New York.

  • The game is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.

The players

David Peterson

The Mets' left-handed starting pitcher, who had a 9-6 record and 4.22 ERA in 2025.

Mitch Keller

The Pirates' right-handed starting pitcher, who struggled with a 6-15 record and 4.19 ERA in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get back out there and build on the momentum from Opening Day. It's going to be a tough test against the Pirates, but we're confident in our ability to come out on top.”

— Francisco Lindor, Mets Shortstop

“We know we have our work cut out for us, but the guys are ready to compete. Mitch has been working hard in the offseason and we're looking for him to set the tone early.”

— Derek Shelton, Pirates Manager

What’s next

The Mets and Pirates will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday, March 29 at Citi Field.

The takeaway

This early-season matchup between the Mets and Pirates provides an interesting contrast, as New York looks to build on a promising 2025 campaign while Pittsburgh continues its rebuilding efforts. The outcome of this series could set the tone for both teams as they look to establish themselves in the competitive NL landscape.