Pirates Daily: Jose Quintana Gets One More Start to Showcase to Buyers

Friday, July 29, the Pittsburgh Pirates (40-59) play game two of a four-game series against their cross-state rival, Philadelphia Phillies. (52-47) at PNC Park. The Pirates are coming off a near Herculean effort in the ninth inning of the series opener Friday night, scoring five runs in the ninth inning before falling short 8-7. Can the Pirates get back on track?

The weather for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Phillies at PNC for the first pitch (7:05 p.m.) will be a little cooler than Thursday’s game. The temperature is forecasted to be 79 degrees with an 8-mph wind blowing northwest.

The game will be broadcast on ATT SportsNet Pittsburgh and over the airwaves on SportsRadio 93.7 THE FAN.

Starters

Although MLB’s trade deadline is imminent, the Pirates do have Jose Quintana (3-5, 3.70 ERA) getting the nod Friday night. Quintana is due to face a fellow lefty, Bailey Falter (0-3, 5.15 ERA). 

Quintana against the Phillies holds an 0-1 record and has pitched in 34.2 innings in six games. Quintana’s ERA against the Phillies is at 3.38 and he has held them to a .216 batting average.

Falter, in his last start on July  24, gave up four runs against the Chicago Cubs with three homers. Can the Pirates take advantage?

Betting Odds

The Pirates are opening as +107 underdogs against the Phillies, who open up as -125 favorites. The over/under is sitting at 8.5 runs, with the run line standing at PIT +1.5 (-156) and PHI -1.5 (+127).

Who’s Hot/Who’s Not?

Who’s Hot: In his last week’s worth of games, Cal Mitchel has been on a bit of a tear. In his last 23 at-bats, Mitchell is slashing .304/.360/.435 with three RBIs and a homer.

Who’s Not: Ke’Bryan Hayes, on the other hand, is slashing .200/.226/.233 in his last seven games and has struck out seven times in his last 30 at-bats.

Tidbits

1. According to Baseball Savant, Quintana is ranked in the 83rd percentile in terms of average exit velocity and in the 80th percentile with chase rate.
2. Falter has pitched exactly one inning against the Pirates and held them hitless no walks and no strikeouts.
3. Quintana is coming off of one of his best performances of the year, pitching seven shutout innings against the Miami Marlins on July 23. Can he up his trade stock against the Phillies? 

Baseball Links

Williams: The Pirates are Hitting for Power and Nothing Else

Pirates Prospects: Second Half Prospect Watch

WSJ: The Juan Soto Sweepstakes Has Taken over Baseball

Kyler Murray Loses Big Money if He Plays Baseball

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