Some Mets-Pirates Opening Day history
Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates in spring training. Credit: Getty Images/Rich Storry
The last time the Mets faced the Pirates was April 1, 2002. Al Leiter got the win that day for the Mets, outdueling Pittsburgh's Ron Villone in a 5-2 win.
For some perspective, today's starting pitcher for Pittsburgh, reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, was not yet born. (That would happen 57 days later.)
Today is the eighth time the Mets have played the Pirates to open the season and are 5-2 in the first seven.
Mark La Monica is a deputy sports editor at Newsday. He also covers mixed martial arts.
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