Pirates

Pirates Preview: Battle of the Keystone State Comes to PNC Park

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates waited around for 3 hours and 22 minutes only to drop the series finale against the Houston Astros 8-2.

After an incredibly long delay, Mitch Keller struggled while the offense struck out a whopping 16 times in the loss.

The homestand continues for the Pirates (23-40) on Friday night with the Philadelphia Phillies (37-25) in tow to start a weekend series.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon through the early evening. Temperatures in the mid-to-low 70s with winds W at 4-5 mph.

LHP Bailey Falter (4-3, 3.14 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Falter will make his first start of June after dominating during the month of May.

In six starts last month, Falter finished third among qualified MLB pitchers with a 0.76 ERA (3er/35.2ip). He hasn’t allowed a run in four of his last five starts and has won three-straight decisions over that stretch.

Falter ranks ninth among National League starters in batting average against (.214), 10th in WHIP (1.08) and is 17th in ERA.

Falter, who pitched in Philadelphia from 2021-23, has faced his former team once. He got the win after allowing one run in 5.0 innings at Citizens Bank Park last season.

RHP Joe Ross (2-1, 4.34 ERA) Will Start for the Phillies

Ross will make his first start of the season for the Phillies.

The right-hander has totaled 21 relief appearances and has allowed 30 hits, walked seven and struck out 22 across 29.0 innings.

Ross split time between the bullpen and starting rotation last season with Milwaukee and went 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA.

In seven appearances against the Pirates in his career, Ross is 2-2 with a 2.35 ERA.

Phillies Hitters vs. Falter

Kyle Schwarber: 2 for 3, one strikeout
Nick Castellanos: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Trea Turner: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Ross

Andrew McCutchen: 5 for 18, two home runs, five RBI, two walks, five strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 6, one double, one walk
Adam Frazier: 0 for 6, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 3 for 4, two doubles, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Jared Triolo: 1 for 3
Nick Gonzales: 1 for 2, one home run, two RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

Mitch Keller hasn’t won a game at PNC Park since last year on July 8 against the New York Mets. His overall record is now 2-15 since his last home win.
Keller snapped a streak of five-straight quality starts. Over his last five starts entering Thursday’s game, the right-hander had a 2.90 ERA.
In six starts this season at PNC Park, Bailey Falter is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA (10er/36.2ip).