Mets' Stroman prepares for team debut against Pirates

Right-hander Marcus Stroman, his emotions firmly in tow, is set to make his debut with the New York Mets with a start against the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of a weekend series Saturday.

The Mets traded for the 2019 All-Star on Sunday, ahead of Wednesday's trade deadline. He spent 5 1/2 seasons with Toronto, becoming known not only for his pitching but also for his outgoing personality.

That includes being animated on the mound when he strikes out opponents.

"My energy is extremely authentic, man," Stroman said. "I love playing the game of baseball. I love competing. When I'm between those lines, it's kind of a different savage, a different demon that is out there. I kind of go to a dark place to put myself where I need to be. I'm very passionate and I'm very emotional.

"But away from the field, I'm very relaxed and I'm kind of the opposite. So I'm excited. If my energy rubs off on some of the (Mets), that would be amazing."

Stroman said being traded to the Mets wasn't on his radar, but he was thrilled to find out that was his destination. He's a native of Long Island.

"Coming home is huge," he said. "So yeah, I'm excited to be a New York Met."

Stroman (6-11, 2.96 ERA) is scheduled to face Pittsburgh right-hander Chris Archer (3-8, 5.58) on Saturday.

In his final outing with Toronto, Stroman took the loss July 24 in a 4-0 game against Cleveland despite giving up just one run in seven innings for his 14th quality start.

That has made for a long layoff between starts.

"It's tough," said Stroman, who threw a bullpen session Wednesday. "But it'll be good. I'm not worried about it. I go out there and I compete at the highest level each and every time. I'll be able to manage. ... I'll be ready to go Saturday."

Stroman has faced Pittsburgh twice in his career, once as a starter, going 0-1 with a 1.04 ERA.

Archer, meanwhile, has struggled. He is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in nine starts since he won back-to-back games in late May and early June, and Pittsburgh has lost each of his past four starts.

On Sunday, Archer gave up six runs, five of them earned, in five innings in a loss against the Mets in New York. That was just his second game against the Mets. He also had a no-decision in 2015 while with Tampa Bay.

The Mets swept Pittsburgh last weekend at home, but the Pirates ended New York's seven-game winning streak with an 8-4 win Friday.

Shortstop Kevin Newman said the pressure is off the Pirates -- who have won just two of their past 12 -- since the trade deadline.

"We know who we've got now," shortstop Kevin Newman told AT&T Sportsnet. "We're going to come out every night and compete."

As they were Friday, the Pirates on Saturday will be without manager Clint Hurdle, who will serve the second half of a two-game suspension related to a benches-clearing incident earlier in the week at Cincinnati.

--Field Level Media