Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes watches workouts during spring training baseball Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

NEW YORK — On the eve of opening day, Paul Skenes set forth lofty goals for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“We want to win the division. We want to make the playoffs. That’s it. How we do that, who knows?” the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner said Wednesday.

“I don’t want to put a number of games out there because that’s just putting a ceiling on us. We’ve got to go out there and play well every day.”

That pursuit begins Thursday, when Skenes pitches for the Pirates against Juan Soto, Bo Bichette and a revamped New York Mets lineup in a nationally televised opener at Citi Field.

Freddy Peralta makes his Mets debut on the mound after the two-time All-Star was acquired from Milwaukee in a January trade.

“I know that he’s great,” the right-hander said of Skenes. “I just see it that I’m competing against him, you know what I’m saying? Because I know it’s going to be probably a tough day for the offense. And it makes me better when I know that I have that kind of pitcher on the mound.”

Even thinking about the postseason is a notable step forward for the thrifty Pirates, who finished last in the NL Central at 71-91 last season. They haven’t won a division title since 1992 or qualified for the playoffs since 2015.

Pittsburgh, however, is developing a promising rotation fronted by Skenes, and the club added second baseman Brandon Lowe, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and right fielder Ryan O’Hearn in the offseason to punch-up an offense that ranked last in the majors in runs (583) and homers (117) last year. Konnor Griffin, a 19-year-old shortstop rated baseball’s No. 1 prospect, could reach the majors soon.

New players, young talent — better vibes.

“It’s certainly different now, and I’m really excited to see where it’s going to be in two months,” said Skenes, set to make his second consecutive opening-day start after helping the United States reach the championship game of the World Baseball Classic this month.

“We have a good team. Now we’ve got to go out there and win.”

Both teams worked out Wednesday in Queens, where the big-budget Mets will field a new-look squad in 2026 after collapsing in the second half last year and missing the playoffs.

Gone are perennial fan favorites Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil. In their place are first baseman Jorge Polanco, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., closer Devin Williams and second baseman Marcus Semien, all newcomers.

Polanco, mostly a middle infielder throughout his career, is switching positions. So is Bichette, a shortstop with Toronto before signing with the Mets as a free agent to play third base.

Soto moves from right field to left as New York tries to improve defense. Heralded prospect Carson Benge starts in right after the 2024 first-round draft pick zipped through three minor league levels last season — though he struggled at the plate in a 24-game stint at Triple-A Syracuse.

“He doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low. I was surprised that I finally got a smile from him when I delivered the news the other day when I was telling him that he made the team,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But it goes to show you that he’s very mature, and to be able to play at this level on a team that has high expectations, you need that consistency, you need that type of personality.”

Mendoza said the 23-year-old Benge, who will wear No. 3, is “ready for this level” and is “going to play a lot.”

Benge draws the unenviable task of making his major league debut against Skenes, who has already started two All-Star Games as he enters his third big league season.

The 23-year-old right-hander led the National League with a 1.97 ERA and 0.95 WHIP last season, going 10-10 with 216 strikeouts in 32 starts.

“I can do better this year. There are ways to get better. Just got to go out there and execute,” Skenes said. “Execute pitches more consistently.”

While the Pirates are looking to become contenders again, the Mets expect more. They’re chasing their first World Series crown in 40 years.

“It has certainly been too long. I feel that as much as anyone,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said.

Left-handed hitter Jared Young won the final bench spot over utilityman Vidal Brujan as New York set its opening-day roster. Richard Lovelady was picked over fellow left-hander Bryan Hudson to round out the bullpen.

Left-handed reliever A.J. Minter was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to March 22, as he continues to recover from left lat surgery last year. Brujan, Hudson and catcher Ben Rortvedt were designated for assignment.

“I think it’s a well-balanced group and a group that seems to be coming together pretty well right now,” Stearns said. “I like where we are. Now we’ve got to go and play.”

Bucs plan Mazeroski honor

From online reports

PITTSBURGH — According to SI.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates will honor Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski during the 2026 season with a uniform patch on the sleeve.

Mazeroski, who hit a walk-off home run to win the 1960 World Series for the Pirates over the New York Yankees, died at 89 on Feb. 20

Pittsburgh won’t wear the uniform patch until the home opener on April 3 vs. the Baltimore Orioles, according to SI.com’s source.

Pittsburgh wore a uniform patch sleeve last season in honor of fellow Hall of Famer Dave Parker, who died last June.