By Sunday 
The Mets are clicking, and the Pirates are feeling it. With Kodai Senga set to take the mound Tuesday night at Citi Field, New York is eyeing yet another series win — this time at the expense of a Pittsburgh team still finding its identity under new leadership.
Mets Find Magic in the Margins
While the Mets have the muscle to crush baseballs into oblivion — they rank top four in the National League in homers, slugging, and OPS — Monday night’s walk-off 4–3 win was pure grit. A scrappy seventh inning saw the Mets plate two runs without a single ball leaving the infield. Luisangel Acuña scored the go-ahead run on a soft dribbler from Pete Alonso that just trickled past the third baseman.
When the Pirates tied it in the ninth on a Francisco Lindor error, Lindor shrugged it off, got back on base, and raced around to score the game-winner on an Alonso sac fly. It was the Mets’ fourth walk-off win this season — and maybe their most Mets way to win yet.
As Alonso put it:
“Our identity is we’re just a scrappy team. We fight to the last out and that’s just who we are.”
Senga Time
Now, it’s Kodai Senga’s turn to keep the momentum rolling. The righty has been nothing short of lights-out lately, entering Tuesday with a jaw-dropping 1.16 ERA. In his last start, he tossed six scoreless innings of two-hit ball against the Diamondbacks. And historically? He already handled the Pirates once, allowing just an unearned run over seven innings last June in Pittsburgh.
If Senga brings that same nasty stuff again, the Bucs might be in for a long night.
Pirates Still Searching
On the other side, Mitch Keller (1-4, 4.40 ERA) will try to steady the Pirates. He’s had success against the Mets before — a 3-1 record and a sharp 2.00 ERA in four starts — but he’ll need to be sharp to match Senga pitch-for-pitch.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are still adjusting under interim manager Don Kelly, who is 2-2 since taking over for Derek Shelton. Monday’s one-run loss was their fourth straight nail-biter. And while the fight is there, the polish is not.
“Tough hops in the last inning, but we’re in these (games),” said Isiah Kiner-Falefa after the game. “There’s just a belief that hasn’t been here at all.”
What’s at Stake
A win Tuesday not only gives the Mets the series, it further reinforces the team’s identity — one that blends big bats with hustle, heart, and just enough chaos to keep things entertaining.
With Senga on the hill and the Mets heating up, all signs point toward a gritty, late-summer team rounding into form. Buckle up — this one could have playoff vibes before the dog days even hit.