Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Falter and Bucs Salvage Series?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2024

Man, is Jared Jones impressive. Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a sparkling outing from the hard-throwing right-hander wasn’t enough as they fell 3-1 to the New York Mets.

Jones threw five innings of one-hit ball and struck out seven betters. 50 of his 59 pitches went for strikes, but Jones was pulled after the fifth inning as the Pirates manage the rookie’s workload.

As impressive as Jones was, the Pirates’ offense was the opposite. Bryan Reynolds was responsible for driving in the lone run with a base hit, one of five hits on the night for the Pirates.

With the loss, the Pirates dropped a series for the first time this season. They’ll look to at least salvage the three-game slate on Wednesday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

The game is at risk of being delayed with a chance for a rain shower shortly after first pitch. Temperatures in the lower-50s with winds blowing SE at 9-10 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (1-0, 4.20 ERA)

After a rough first outing to start the season, Falter has delivered back-to-back strong starts for the Pirates.

In his last outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, his former team, Falter allowed one run on four hits and struck out three batters in five innings.

Falter’s impeccable control has been on full display over his last two starts and is a major reason for his success. The left-hander walked three in four innings in his season debut against the Miami Marlins but has walked one batter over his last 11 innings pitched.

Falter has made four appearances against the Mets in his career and has pitched well. Against New York, Falter is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA.

The New York Mets Will Send Out RHP Luis Severino (1-1, 3.00 ERA)

Severino, who switched New York allegiances and signed with the Mets this offseason, is off to a nice start to begin his stint with his new team.

The former Yankee was knocked around in his season debut but has a 1.80 ERA over his last two starts. During that stretch, Severino has struck out 11 and has allowed just four hits in 10 innings pitched.

The right-hander has faced the Pirates two times in his career and has been virtually untouchable. He’s yielded six hits and has allowed one run in 11 innings pitched.

Mets Hitters vs. Falter

Starling Marte: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Pete Alonso: 1 for 4, one home run, three RBIs, one walk
Jeff McNeil: 1 for 4
Tyrone Taylor: 1 for 4, one strikeout
Brandon Nimmo: 0 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Joey Wendle: 0 for 4, one RBI
Francisco Lindor: 1 for 3, three walks

Pirates Hitters vs. Severino

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 5, one double, one strikeout
Jack Suwinski: 0 for 5, two strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 4, one RBI, two strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 3, one walk
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 2, one home run, one RBI

Tidbits

Jared Jones became one of four pitchers since 1893 with seven-plus strikeouts in his first four career starts. The others: Masahiro Tanaka, Stephen Strasburg and José DeLeón.
Jones has not issued a walk over his last 17.1 innings pitched, the longest such streak by a Pirates’ pitcher in his first four career games since Gerrit Cole and an 18.0-inning streak to open his career in 2013
Looking at the league leaderboard, Jones is first in MLB in strikeout to walk ratio (16.00) and is second behind Tyler Glasnow with 32 strikeouts.