Pirates

Pirates Preview: Will Bucs be First to 10 Wins?

Published

3 weeks ago

April 9, 2024

On the same day a solar eclipse darkened the sky over PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates (9-2) shined bright, defeating the Detroit Tigers (6-3) by a score of 7-4.

Mitch Keller delivered his best start of the season and Bryan Reynolds hit the 100th home run of his career in the win.

The Pirates, who are tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball, will have one more against the Tigers on Tuesday afternoon before the start of a seven-game road trip following an off day on Wednesday.

First pitch on Tuesday is set for 12:35 ET. The game will be televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

It looks like it’ll be a beautiful day for baseball with some sunshine and temperatures in the low-70s. Winds SW ranging from 9-16 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (1-0, 2.45 ERA)

Pérez was responsible for starting the Pirates’ current streak of five quality starts in a row in his last time out.

The left-hander took the mound against the Nationals in the final game of the three-game series in Washington D.C. Pérez allowed two runs across 6.2 innings pitched.

For the first time since joining the Pirates, Pérez will pitch at PNC Park.

Pérez has struggled in his career against Detroit. In 13 appearances, he’s 2-5 with a 6.13 ERA. That’s the second-highest ERA he has against any team he’s faced at least 10 times.

The Detroit Tigers Will Send Out RHP Casey Mize (0-0, 6.23 ERA)

Mize made his first start since 2022 against the New York Mets in the first game of a doubleheader last week. In 4.1 innings, Mize allowed three runs on five hits in 4.1 innings and struck out four.

The right-hander missed most of the 2022 season and all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery and a back operation.

This will be his first-career appearance against the Pirates. In four interleague starts, Mize is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA.

Tigers Hitters vs. Pérez

Mark Canha: 4 for 19, two doubles, two RBIs, one walk, four strikeouts
Gio Urshela: 8 for 18, two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, three strikeouts
Javier Báez:: 3 for 12, one double, one RBI, two strikeouts
Spencer Torkelson: 2 for 8, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Matt Vierling: 0 for 7, one walk, two strikeouts
Jake Rogers: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Mize

Michael A. Taylor: 3 for 11, one RBI, two strikeouts

Tidbits

Mitch Keller has gone 34 starts in a row of at least five innings pitched. That’s the longest active streak in baseball.
Bryan Reynolds became the 25th player in Pirates’ history to hit 100 home runs with the club.
Casey Mize was drafted by the Tigers with the first pick in the 2018 draft. The second pick that year? Current Pirates catcher Joey Bart.