New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Friday August 7 2026

By: Eddie Kline Published 08/07/2026, 12:00 AM ET

Mets Preview

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a matchup between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates from scenic PNC Park. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Mets (50-66) are fresh off a three-game sweep at Cleveland and scored 25 runs total. On Thursday, New York OF Luis Robert collected three of New York’s 18 hits and scored a pair of runs during a 13-6 rout. SS Francisco Lindor contributed a three-run blast for the Mets.

Rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (2-2 2.88 ERA) will make his seventh career major league start for the Mets. Last time out, Thornton (4.2 IP) gave up six hits and four runs (3 ER) during a 6-2 home loss versus Miami.

Pirates Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have dropped eight of their previous ten games and are five games back in the race for the final National League Wild Card spot. On Thursday, Pittsburgh 2B Brandon Lowe clobbered his 24th home run of the year during a 5-2 road loss against Milwaukee. SP Braxton Ashcraft (11-5) gave up four runs in five innings and took the loss for the Pirates (57-60), who fell to 28-32 on the road.

Pittsburgh skipper Don Kelly will turn to twenty-seven year old righty Carmen Mlodzinski (3.15 ERA) on Friday. Mlodzinski’s previous five appearances have come out of the bullpen and he has allowed four runs across his last 13 plus frames.

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Mets vs Pirates Pick

New York OF Juan Soto has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain and will not play in this series. Through 114 games, New York ranks 28th in OPS and 27th in runs scored. For the season, Pittsburgh ranks 4th in OPS and 3rd in runs scored. Take the Mets to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, New York Mets win 5-3.