The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their home series against the New York Mets on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at PNC Park with a 1:35 PM ET first pitch. Jared Jones gets the ball for Pittsburgh, squaring off against left-hander Sean Manaea for New York. It's a marquee pitching matchup at one of baseball's best ballparks, and with the dog days of August in full swing, every game in the standings matters. Both clubs will be looking to take the series and carry momentum into the week ahead.
Probable Pitchers: Jared Jones vs. Sean Manaea
Jared Jones is the headliner for the Bucs on Sunday. The young right-hander has been one of the most exciting arms in the Pittsburgh system, and his development this season is central to how far this club can go. Jones attacks hitters with a lively fastball and a breaking ball that can buckle anyone in the lineup when he's commanding it. His ability to generate swings and misses in the middle innings is the kind of weapon Pittsburgh needs in a game like this.
On the other side, the Mets send Sean Manaea to the bump. Manaea is a crafty veteran southpaw who understands how to pitch — he changes speeds, works both sides of the plate, and doesn't give hitters anything comfortable to sit on. Pittsburgh's lineup will need to be disciplined and patient against him, looking to work counts and avoid chasing his off-speed stuff out of the zone.
Keys to Watch for the Pirates
- Jones's command early: If Jones can throw strikes and establish his fastball in the first two innings, he puts the Pirates in a position to win. Trouble tends to come when he falls behind in counts and has to come into the zone with less conviction.
- Handling Manaea's lefty arsenal: Pittsburgh's right-handed hitters will carry the offensive load against Manaea. The Pirates need to stay through the ball and avoid expanding the zone on his changeup.
- Bullpen management: A Sunday afternoon game means a full bullpen is available. How Pittsburgh's staff manages the middle innings — and avoids putting unnecessary pressure on the back end — could decide the outcome.
- Capitalizing at PNC Park: The Pirates are at home, and PNC Park's dimensions and atmosphere give Pittsburgh a real advantage on days when the club is locked in. Getting the crowd involved early with a quick offensive start would go a long way.
Broadcast Information
Sunday's game can be seen locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Mets fans can tune in on SNY. Radio coverage is available on Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan in Pittsburgh and Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM for New York. A Spanish-language radio stream is also available on Audacy App 92.3 HD2.
Prediction
This one comes down to which starter controls the tempo longer. Jones has the stuff to win this game outright if he's on, and pitching at PNC Park in front of a home crowd gives him an edge. Manaea is no pushover, but Pittsburgh's lineup has the right-handed pop to work through him in the middle of the order. Expect a tight, low-scoring game that leans on the bullpens late. Pirates take it, 3-2.
