Mets And Pirates To Face Off In Double-Header Tuesday After Monday Rainout Game Postponed

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced late Monday night they would play a straight double-header against the New York Mets at PNC Park on Tuesday, with first pitch at 4:05 pm and the second game beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener. This will account for the original game postponed due to Monday’s inclement weather.

Mets And Pirates To Face Off In Double-Header Tuesday

The Mets announced they will keep their starting rotation in order, with Monday’s scheduled pitcher Steven Matz taking the mound in Game 1 and Jacob deGrom starting Game 2. The Pirates didn’t announce their rotation, but will most likely start former Met Jon Niese in Game 1 and Juan Nicasio in Game 2.

The games will also mark second baseman Neil Walker’s return to Pittsburgh as a member of the Mets. Walker, 30, was traded to the Mets by the Pirates, with whom he spent six years, for Niese on December 9, 2015. In January, Walker signed a one-year, $10.55-million deal avoiding arbitration.

When asked in a formal news conference on Monday how he expected to be received, the second baseman simply said,“I don’t know. I certainly have some anxiety toward that situation.”

“He’ll get a huge round of applause — which he should — tonight,” Mets manager Terry Collins said before the rainout. “I hope he gets three hits.”

Walker hit his 100th career home run in a game against the Atlanta Braves on April 23, 2016. He confessed that he has felt slighted by the Pirates, and expressed disappointment about how his tenure with the team ended. He had been Pittsburgh’s first-round draft pick and a native son, and yet didn’t appear to be deemed worthy of what he considered a legitimate offer at a contract extension.

“Sometimes the business of baseball gets very ugly,” Walker said. “In my case, the end of my time here wasn’t very pretty.”

PHOTO: PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 06: Wilmer Flores #4 of the New York Mets blows a bubble as he waits for his turn in the cage during batting practice before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 6, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)