NEW YORK — The Mets could cap a perfect opening series on Sunday afternoon.
On the heels of a 11-run breakthrough on Opening Day, the Mets needed extra innings but rode Luis Robert Jr.’s three-run walk-off home run to take down the Pirates in 11 innings on Saturday night.
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The Mets have an opportunity to notch the series sweep against the Pirates at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. The club is looking to win its first three games of the season for the first time since 2022.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Jon Koons, of Englewood, juggles in front of Citi Field before the start of the game, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Jon Koons, of Englewood, juggles in front of Citi Field before the start of the game, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Will and Anna Winning, of Florida are shown in front of the Home Run Apple, in front of Citi Field, Thursday, March 26, 2026. The couple traveled to New York for Opening Day.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Mr. Met is shown outside the subway to greet fans, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Mets fans arrive to Citi Field on Opening Day, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
People are shown in front of Citi Field as they protest Steve Cohen and a gambling casino, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Nolan McLean will be taking the ball for the first time in 2026 after making a pair of big starts for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. The rookie right-hander was 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in his first eight starts of his career last season.
The Mets are facing Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodsinski in the series finale. Mlodzinski was 5-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 34 appearances last season, including 12 starts.
Follow along for our updates and analysis throughout Sunday’s series finale between the Mets and Pirates:
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Nolan McLean closes fifth with authority
It was not the most dynamic opening start for Nolan McLean, but the rookie right-hander ended with a statement.
McLean struck out five of the last eight batters he faced. In the fifth, he worked around a one-out bloop double by Brandon Lowe and sent down Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O’Hearn on curveballs – looking and swinging, respectively – to keep the Pirates’ lead at 2-1.
Brandon Lowe continues to hurt Mets
The biggest thorn in the side of the Mets in their opening series has been Brandon Lowe.
The Pirates infielder tagged two home runs on Opening Day and added a third in the top of the third inning on Sunday to give the road side a 2-1 advantage.
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McLean has given up three hits, two walks and hit a batter through three innings as his pitch count has swelled to 59.
Mets cash in on Pirates sloppy defense
After Carmen Mlodzinski struck out the top three hitters in the Mets’ lineup in the first inning, the home side used some questionable defense to equalize.
Luis Robert Jr. laced a one-out line drive to third base that sailed narrowly over the head of Nick Gonzales. After Brett Baty singled to put runners on the corners, Marcus Semien tied the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly.
Carson Benge reached on a fielding error by Pirates shortstop Jared Triolo, but Luis Torrens struck out looking to end the inning.
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Nolan McLean struggles with command out of gate
It took a little bit for Nolan McLean to find the strike zone in his first start of 2026.
Seven of McLean’s first eight pitches were balls and two straight walks to begin the game came back to hurt him. Oneil Cruz, who worked the leadoff walk, crossed on a one-out bloop single by Ryan O’Hearn.
McLean needed 24 pitches to get through the first, picking up a pair of fly balls to limit the Pirates damage to 1-0 after the top of the first inning.
Brett Baty makes first start at first base
New York Mets designated hitter Brett Baty (7) hits a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning on March 28, 2026, at Citi Field.
With the Mets playing an afternoon game on the heels of Saturday’s extra-inning win, Carlos Mendoza will deploy Brett Baty at first base for the first time in his major league career. Jorge Polanco, who started the team’s first two games at first, remains in the Mets’ lineup as the designated hitter.
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Baty logged four games at first base in spring training as he widened his fielding arsenal which had already included third base and second base. He also spent time in right field in the Grapefruit League.
“We really didn’t know which way we were going to go as far as the roster construction, but he was all in,” Mendoza said. “Watching him last year learning second base and how easy he made that transition, we had no doubt that he was going to be able to do right field, first base, which were new positions for him.”
Mendoza said that Baty will be expected to see time in right field when Robert is out of the lineup. The Mets would shift Carson Benge to center field and move Baty to the outfield. Baty has served as the Mets’ DH in the first two games, going 2-for-9 with a triple, three RBI, two runs and a stolen base.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets vs Pirates live score, updates and highlights today