The 2026 MLB season burst into action on Thursday afternoon as the New York Mets hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field in Queens, New York. Opening Day always brings a unique energy, but this year’s matchup crackled with extra anticipation, pitting two of the game’s most electrifying arms—Paul Skenes and Freddy Peralta—against one another in what many predicted would be a classic pitchers’ duel. By first pitch at 1:15 p.m. ET, fans were packed in and ready, with the game airing nationally on NBC and streaming on Peacock for out-of-market viewers. The betting world took note, too, with the Mets entering as narrow -118 favorites and the game total set at a modest 6.5 to 7 runs depending on the sportsbook.
Pittsburgh entered the day eager to turn the page after a frustrating 2025 campaign that saw them finish last in the NL Central for the fifth time in seven years, posting a 71-91 record and missing the postseason for the tenth consecutive season. The Pirates, however, were determined not to repeat history. Their front office made a series of bold moves in the offseason, highlighted by the acquisition of big bats like Brandon Lowe—who smashed 31 home runs last year—Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna. Add in the return of Oneil Cruz, who led all of MLB in average exit velocity at 95.8 mph, and suddenly Pittsburgh’s offense looked far less anemic than the group that managed just 3.60 runs per game and a .655 OPS in 2025.
But the real centerpiece for the Pirates was 23-year-old Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young winner. Skenes dazzled in 2025, finishing with a 1.97 ERA, 0.948 WHIP, and 216 strikeouts (29.5 K%) over 32 starts and 187.2 innings. His dominance wasn’t lost on the Mets: in two career starts against New York, Skenes had already racked up a 2.08 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 13 innings, holding a 1-0 record. Skenes’ presence alone gave Pirates fans hope, even as the team rebuilt its bullpen after trading closer David Bednar to the Yankees at last year’s deadline. Dennis Santana, Mason Montgomery, Hunter Barco, and ex-Met Gregory Soto now formed the backbone of a new-look relief corps.
Across the diamond, the Mets were also coming off a disappointing year. Despite owning baseball’s best record in mid-June, New York stumbled badly down the stretch, finishing 83-79 and missing the playoffs by a single game. The offseason brought sweeping changes. Pete Alonso, the beloved homegrown slugger and franchise home run king, was gone. The Mets responded by trading for Marcus Semien, signing postseason hero Jorge Polanco, and adding Luis Robert Jr. and Bo Bichette to the lineup. Top prospect Carson Benge, who earned his spot in right field by slashing .366/.435/.439 with an .874 OPS in spring training, was set to make his major league debut. The lineup, anchored by five-time All-Star Francisco Lindor and generational slugger Juan Soto (fresh off a career-high 43 home runs in 2025 and two more in the World Baseball Classic), looked potent and unpredictable.
The Mets’ pitching staff also received a facelift. With Edwin Diaz departing for the Dodgers, the bullpen was reinforced by ex-Yankees Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, as well as former starter Sean Manaea. But the biggest splash came with the acquisition of Freddy Peralta from Milwaukee. Peralta, a two-time All-Star, was coming off a career-best 2025 in which he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts (28.2 K%) over 33 starts and 176.2 innings—good for fifth in the Cy Young race and the NL lead in wins. Peralta had already established himself as a Pirate-killer, boasting a 3.05 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 85.2 innings in 16 career starts against Pittsburgh. Thursday marked his second consecutive Opening Day start, having pitched for the Brewers in 2025 and allowing two runs on four hits in five innings against the Yankees.
The stage was set for a showdown reminiscent of a heavyweight title fight. As one analyst put it, “Skenes and Peralta make for a heavyweight showdown akin to Fury versus Wilder. Both right-handers should pick up right where they left off, expertly skirting reloaded, yet untried, lineups on each side.”
Pre-game predictions leaned heavily toward a low-scoring affair. Advanced models, like the one from SportsLine, simulated the matchup 10,000 times, projecting an average of 8.7 runs but noting that the under had hit in 13 of Skenes’ last 16 starts. Betting trends and expert picks leaned toward the under, with one analyst writing, “I don’t have confidence in either of these new-look lineups generating much offense against this pitching, so I’m taking the Under this afternoon.” Both starters were also favored to surpass their strikeout totals: Skenes over 6.5 and Peralta over 5.5, reflecting their dominant 2025 campaigns.
As the game got underway, fans were treated to a glimpse of the future. Carson Benge, the Mets’ No. 2 prospect, took his first major league at-bat after a spring that turned heads—his emergence was a storyline in itself. On the Pirates’ side, the revamped lineup faced a true test against Peralta’s devastating arsenal. The Mets, meanwhile, had to adjust to life without Alonso, relying on their new faces to deliver against one of the league’s toughest arms.
Juan Soto, the Mets’ marquee offseason addition, drew plenty of attention. Coming off back-to-back 40+ home run seasons and a .519+ slugging percentage for three straight years, Soto was even picked by some as the likeliest to homer in this contest. “While Skenes is a tough matchup for any hitter, Soto comes in off hitting two homers in the World Baseball Classic and has a great shot to continue that momentum into the regular season,” one preview noted.
Both teams’ bullpens were also under the microscope. Pittsburgh’s relief corps was largely untested in its new configuration, while the Mets, having lost Diaz, were banking on their crosstown imports to hold late leads. With both offenses featuring several new faces, the strategic chess match between managers promised to be fascinating, especially if the game stayed tight late.
As for the crowd, Opening Day in Queens never disappoints. The 7 train was sardine-packed as fans from across the city flocked to Citi Field, eager for a fresh start and a chance to see how their retooled squads would fare. The sense of optimism was palpable, even after last year’s heartbreaks for both clubs.
With the action still ongoing, the final outcome remains up in the air. But one thing is clear: the 2026 MLB season began with a bang, as two ambitious teams and two elite pitchers set the tone for what promises to be a dramatic campaign. Whether it’s the Pirates’ new-look lineup or the Mets’ star-studded roster that ultimately prevails, Opening Day delivered all the intrigue and excitement fans could ask for. Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.