Mets vs. Pirates odds, line, prediction: 2026 MLB Opening Day picks from proven model

MLB Opening Day 2026 is rolled out over three days this season, as teams will begin their seasons on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. The middle day features the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates taking the field for the first time, with both coming off disappointing years without postseason appearances. New York (83-79) finished second in the NL East and had the same record as the Reds, who did make the playoffs, but the Mets lost the tiebreaker and did not qualify. Pittsburgh (71-91) placed last in the NL Central to miss out on the postseason for the 10th straight season. Paul Skenes will start for the Pirates, opposing Freddy Peralta.

First pitch is at 1:15 p.m. ET from Citi Field in Queens, N.Y. The latest Mets vs. Pirates odds list New York as the -122 favorite on the money line (risk $122 to win $100). The over/under for total runs is 6.5.

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The model has simulated Mets vs. Pirates 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the total, and is also says one side of the money line has ALL the value!

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