Pirates

Pirates Preview: Another Important Series as Padres Come to Pittsburgh

Published

2 months ago

August 6, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates came up short in Sunday’s rubber match against the Arizona Diamondbacks, falling 6-5.

Paul Skenes allowed two runs in 5.1 innings and was in line for the win, but Joc Pederson hit a three-run home run off of Colin Holderman to lift Arizona to victory.

After an off day on Monday to reset, the Pirates will start another crucial series with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

First pitch is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Another hot one with a threat of thunderstorms later in the night. Winds S-SSE at 6-7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (5-7, 3.95 ERA)

Falter pitched well in his last in Houston and held the Astros to two runs (one earned) on six hits in 5.2 innings pitched.

It was his first start since coming off the injured list. Falter was placed on the 15-day IL on July 7 with left triceps tendinitis.

A key reason for Falter’s success this season is his fastball, which grades as one of the better ones in baseball. Falter also ranks in the 99th percentile in extension which has been a factor in the success of his fastball.

Falter has made three appearances against Arizona and is 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA (3er/8.2ip).

The San Diego Padres Will Send Out RHP Dylan Cease (11-8, 3.42 ERA)

Two starts ago, Cease threw the second no-hitter in Padres’ history. He went the full nine innings against the Nationals, walked three and struck out nine batters.

In his most recent start, Cease allowed one run on three hits in 5.2 innings against the Dodgers.

Cease has the most strikeouts in baseball this season with 174 — an average of 11.5 per nine innings. The right-hander relies primarily on his power fastball and wipeout slider. He’ll also throw a curve and sweeper.

Cease has made two starts against the Pirates and is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA.

Padres Hitters vs. Falter

Bryce Johnson: 1 for 3
Luis Arráez: 1 for 2, one double, one walk
Jake Cronenworth: 1 for 1

Pirates Hitters vs. Cease

Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 18, seven strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 5, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 5
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 4, one triple, two RBIs, one strikeout, one walk
Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 3, one double, one strikeout

Tidbits

Paul Skenes has a 1.99 ERA. He’s one of five players in franchise history with a sub-2.00 ERA through 14 career starts.
Colin Holderman has a 7.54 ERA over his last 15 appearances dating back to June 23 after posting a 0.68 ERA up to that point.
Andrew McCutchen is one RBI shy of becoming the seventh player to reach 800 RBIs with the Pirates.