Preview: Pirates at Mets, Opening Day 2026

NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets will open their 2026 campaigns on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field, each looking to shake off the sting of season-ending losses from six months prior.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with temperatures around 50 degrees.

The Pirates, who finished their 2025 season with a 4-1 loss in Atlanta on Sept. 28, will send right-hander Freddy Peralta to the mound. The Mets, who were shut out 4-0 in Miami on the same day to conclude their previous season, have not announced a starting pitcher.

Both clubs enter with identical 0-0 records, making this the first meeting of the new season. The game marks the beginning of a three-game series, with contests following on Saturday and Sunday.

Peralta will aim to set a strong tone for a Pirates team embarking on a 10-game stretch that includes this series, three games in Cincinnati, and their first homestand against Baltimore and San Diego.

The Mets, meanwhile, will start their season with 10 consecutive games against the Pirates, Cardinals, Giants and Diamondbacks.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, a pitchers’ duel is expected, with a projected final score of 1-0 in favor of the Mets.

The contest serves as the official start for both franchises under the expanded 2026 Major League Baseball schedule. All eyes will be on new roster configurations and early-season form as the long journey toward October begins.