Pirates
Pirates Preview: Bailey Falter Returns From Injured List to Face Astros

For the second-straight game, the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled out a comeback win, defeating the Houston Astros 5-3 on Monday night.
With the score tied 2-2 in the ninth inning, Michael A. Taylor blasted a three-run home run off of Astros closer Josh Hader to carry Pittsburgh to a win. Prized rookie Paul Skenes allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings pitched.
The Pirates (54-52) will look to make it three wins in a row when they face the Astros (55-51) once again on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park.
First pitch is set for 8:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Weather
Minute Made Park has a retractable roof, so weather won’t factor into this series.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (4-7, 4.08)
Falter was reinstated from the injured list on Monday and will start for the Pirates on Tuesday night. He had been out since early July with left triceps tendinitis.
The left-hander’s overall numbers this season are solid. He’s exceeded expectations after being named the fifth starter out of spring training.
However, Falter had been scuffling some prior to his injury. In six starts since the beginning of June, Falter posted a 6.23 ERA with opponents hitting .340 against him during that stretch.
Falter has faced the Astros twice in his career. He’s 0-1 and has allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings pitched.
The Houston Astros Will Send Out RHP Hunter Brown (9-6, 4.00)
Brown comes into his start against the Pirates having pitched extremely well over his last three outings.
Combined between his last three starts, he’s allowed three runs over 18 innings pitched and has gotten the win each time out. Since June 8, the right-hander has a 1.80 ERA in nine starts, even after allowing seven runs in six innings against the Twins on July 6.
Brown has a six-pitch mix, starting with a four-seam fastball that averages 96 mph. He also throws a cutter, sinker, changeup, curveball and slider.
This will be the first time the Pirates have faced Brown.
Astros Hitters vs. Falter
- Yordan Alvarez: 2 for 3, one walk
- Jeremy Peña: 1 for 3
- Victor Caratini: 2 for 2, one double
- Jake Meyers: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Pirates Hitters vs. Brown
- Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts
Tidbits
- Paul Skenes recorded his 100th career strikeout in his 13th career start on Monday. He’s the sixth pitcher since 1893 to reach 100 career strikeouts in 13 or fewer starts.
- Michael A. Taylor’s home run was the third go-ahead homer in the ninth inning or later of his career. It was the first time he had one since 2015 while with the Nationals.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes drew two walks in Monday’s win. Those were his first two walks in the month of July (84 plate appearances entering play).
Links
Perrotto: He’s Not Vladdy Jr., But Nick Yorke is Intriguing
Reassessing Potential Pirates Trade Targets on Deadline Day
2024 MLB Trade Deadline Tracker
9th Inning Drama: Taylor Homers, Pirates Beat Astros
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