Pirates Will Face 2-Time All-Star Pitcher On Opening Day
· Yahoo Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates will oppose a familiar starting pitcher when they begin their 2026 season against the New York Mets on March 26.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed Friday that Freddy Peralta will draw their Opening Day start. The 29-year-old makes his Mets debut at Citi Field after eight seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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“Pretty clear that he was gonna be pitching at the front of our rotation,” Mendoza said of Peralta. “He earned it, he spun it and yeah, I’m excited. We’re all excited.”
Peralta has tallied at least 200 strikeouts in three straight seasons, but he ascended into one of MLB’s top starters when posting a 2.70 ERA in 2025. Although he helped the Brewers win the National League Central with an MLB-best 97 wins, they still moved the two-time All-Star ahead of a contract year.
Milwaukee sent Peralta and fellow pitcher Tobias Myers to New York for top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. Even if he’s just a one-year rental, the Mets hope to have secured a rotation headliner after last season’s late collapse.
Paul Skenes will presumably take the rubber for Pittsburgh on Opening Day. The 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner won’t line up against World Baseball Classic teammate Nolan McLean, but the Pirates could see the hotshot rookie in the second or third game.
Opening Day will mark Peralta’s 26th career appearance against the Pirates. The right-hander has authored a 3.36 ERA in 99 innings versus his longtime division adversary, but he’ll face an upgraded lineup featuring Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Marcell Ozuna and potentially Konnor Griffin to start the season.
Peacock will stream the Opening Day clash between the Pirates and Mets on Thursday, March 26, at 1:15 p.m. ET.
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