Pirates

Pirates Preview: Something Has to Give With This Offense

Published

12 months ago

May 10, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (21-16) crumbled Tuesday night in a crushing 10-1 defeat to the Colorado Rockies (15-22).

Rookie, Luis Ortiz struggled at times, but wasn’t aided by his defense, like most of the Pirates’ pitchers as of late, with five runs given up, but only two of them being earned.

It would appear that Ortiz is now throwing a sinker pitch, with 42 out of his 74 total pitches registering as a sinker.

The Pirates will go for the series win Wednesday in a game three rubber match against the Rockies before a much-needed off day on Thursday.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet, or listen to the game on the Pirates radio station, 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

There shouldn’t be too many clouds in the sky Thursday afternoon. Expect temperatures to stick between 67-72 degrees throughout the contest, as well as winds around 4-5 mph blowing north/northeast.

The Pirates will send out LHP Rich Hill (3-3, 4.54 ERA)

In Hill’s last appearance against the Rockies on April 17, he earned the win after pitching six full innings and only giving up one earned run.

Hill had to battle, however, in his last outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 5 as he went 5.1 innings and gave up four earned runs on eight hits, resulting in his third loss of the season.

It didn’t help that Hill received no run support, but nonetheless, Hill allowed a ton of hard contact in his 5.1 innings pitched with an average exit velocity of 92 mph.

Hill has faced the Rockies eight times (eight starts) and holds a 2-4 record with an ERA of 5.11. In addition, six of those eight starts were in Coors Field.

The Rockies will send out RHP Antonio Senzatela (0-1, 1.80 ERA).

The righty made his season debut for the Rockies on May 5 against the New York Mets in a losing effort.

Unfortunately for Senzatela, the one earned run he gave up in five innings of work was just enough for the Mets to earn the 1-0 victory.

Senzatela stuck with three main pitches in his season debut with a four-seam (52%), slider (25%), and a changeup (22%). In addition, Senzatela threw one curveball against the Mets, and his four-seam topped out at 97.5 mph.

Senzatela has faced the Pirates three times (two starts) and holds an 0-2 record with an ERA of 13.50. In addition, two of those games were at PNC Park.

Interesting Batting Match Ups

Rockies Hitters

Kris Bryant: 7-18 with a double and two homers off of Hill
Elias Diaz: 0-8 against Hill

Pirates Hitters

Bryan Reynolds: 2-3 with two walks against Senzatela
Carlos Santana: 2-5 with a double and two walks against Sezatela
Andrew McCutchen: 2-13 with a homer against Senzatela
Austin Hedges: 2-15 with a double against Senzatela

Tidbits

In their last eight games, the Pirates have been outscored 49-10.
With the Brewers’ loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday night, the Pirates still maintain a 0.5-game lead in the N.L. Central.
Mitch Keller is now ranked ninth in the NL in ERA with a 2.72 after his magical performance Monday night. In addition, Keller is ranked 18th overall in MLB with his ERA.