The Pittsburgh Pirates enter Sunday’s matchup against the New York Mets with a 33–50 record and little margin for error as they attempt to close June on a high note and avoid a home sweep against one of the National League’s most complete teams. Mike Burrows gets the start for Pittsburgh and will be tasked with navigating a deep Mets lineup in just his fourth major league appearance this season, entering the game with a 1–2 record and a 4.45 ERA. Burrows has shown flashes of potential with decent strikeout stuff and mound presence, but he has also been vulnerable to long innings and trouble when falling behind in counts, which makes facing aggressive power hitters like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor a daunting challenge. The Pirates’ lineup has struggled with consistency all season and ranks near the bottom of the National League in runs scored and batting average, which has made stringing together competitive innings difficult, especially against elite pitching staffs like the Mets’. Bryan Reynolds continues to lead the offense statistically, but his .235 batting average and 9 home runs highlight just how much he’s underperformed compared to expectations, while Andrew McCutchen provides steady veteran presence with a .265 average and 8 homers, though his power and speed have waned.

One bright spot has been the emergence of young infielder Nick Gonzales, who’s hitting .300 and providing quality at-bats while flashing above-average glove work, giving fans some hope for the future core of the team. Still, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has had to carry too much of the burden, and while their 3.88 ERA suggests competence, the bullpen has often faltered late in games, especially when playing from behind. Defensively, the Pirates must avoid the costly errors and lapses in concentration that have derailed so many winnable games, and they’ll need to capitalize on every scoring opportunity to support Burrows and keep the game close. The Pirates have covered the run line in just 38 of 83 games, reflecting their struggles to keep pace when facing superior opponents, and their lack of reliable run production makes comeback wins a rarity. For Sunday’s game, manager Derek Shelton will be hoping for Burrows to deliver five solid innings, for the bullpen to avoid walks, and for someone in the lineup—whether it be McCutchen, Reynolds, or perhaps Jack Suwinski—to come up with a timely extra-base hit. The Pirates’ path to victory lies in pitching to contact, playing mistake-free defense, and finding ways to manufacture runs through situational hitting, as they’re unlikely to slug their way past a Mets team with strong arms and a veteran approach at the plate. While the playoffs are a long shot, every game is a chance for Pittsburgh to evaluate its young talent and instill a competitive mindset, and a win against a contender like the Mets could serve as a morale boost and stepping stone toward building a more resilient, fundamentally sound team heading into the second half of the season.