Citi Field hosts an MLB battle between the New York Mets and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Jonathon Niese will take the mound for New York, and he'll carry a 2-3 record into the contest. Francisco Liriano gets the ball for Pittsburgh; he's 0-0 so far this season.



View Pittsburgh vs NY Mets Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Those going with the Mets in this one found them listed as moneyline favorites of -124 at Sportsbook for Monday's contest. The total was hovering near 8 at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings:
The Mets - Pirates odds would favor the Pirates if the lines were set according to our power ranks. New York is rated No. 12 in the current National League Odds Shark poll, while Pittsburgh is at No. 6 in the National League.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits New York's No. 3-rated National League offense, averaging 4.6 runs per game, against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 5 in the National League at 3.9 in runs allowed per game. The Mets have averaged 8 hits per game so far, almost the same as Pirates batters have averaged on the year (8 hits per game).

Pittsburgh brings the National League's No. 5-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Mets' league No. 14-ranked defense.

In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 7-3 Sportsbook on the road against the Mets. Bettors on Pittsburgh at -106 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (10) sent OVER bettors home happy as well. Pittsburgh looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Mets, a 7-3 final on Friday in support of Wandy Rodriguez at Citi Field.




Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing NY Mets are 3-7
After playing NY Mets are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

New York Mets Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Pittsburgh are 7-3
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

A few Pirates at Mets trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Pittsburgh's last 24 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
NY Mets are 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
NY Mets are 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets' last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 17 of NY Mets' last 24 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh


Next up:
Pittsburgh at NY Mets, Sunday, May 12