Pirates Preview: Bucs Battle Yankees Again on Saturday (Weather Permitting)

Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes each homered for the Pittsburgh Pirates while Andrew McCutchen collected three hits but the New York Yankees proved to bee too much in a 9-4 loss in Friday’s home opener.

Mitch Keller struggled with efficiency and the Pirates looked sloppy in their return to PNC Park against the reigning American League champions.

The Pirates (2-6) will look to bounce back from an ugly loss and even the series against the Yankees (5-2 on Saturday)

First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh as well as 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Rain and possible thunderstorms in the forecast for most of the day. Temperatures in the low-70s around first pitch with winds SW at 15 mph.

LHP Bailey Falter (0-0, 3.00 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Though he took a no-decision, Falter pitched well in his first start of the season against the Marlins in Miami.

The left-hander completed 6.0 innings and held the Marlins to one run on seven hits with four strikeouts. He didn’t walk a batter.

Falter’s first season as a full-time starting pitcher came last year, when he went 8-9 with a 4.43 ERA across 28 starts and 142.1 innings.

Falter faced the Yankees at the end of last season and was tagged for four runs in 3.0 innings. He walked three and didn’t strikeout anyone.

RHP Marcus Stroman (0-0, 5.79 ERA) Will Start for the Yankees

Stroman’s first start of the season came against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday and the veteran right-hander struggled a bit.

The Brewers scored three runs on five hits including one home run in 4.2 innings. Stroman walked a batter and struck out three.

In five spring training starts, Stroman went 2-1 with a 4.73 ERA. He totaled 13.1 innings, allowed 15 hits (five home runs), walked four and struck out 11.

Stroman has pitched well in seven appearances against the Pirates in his career. Despite a 2-3 record, he owns a solid 2.75 ERA.

Yankees Hitters vs. Falter

• Cody Bellinger: 3 for 10, one double, three RBIs, two strikeouts
• Paul Goldschmidt: one double, one walk, one strikeout
• Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 2 for 4, one home run, five RBIs, one strikeout
• Trent Grisham: 3 for 3, one home run, three RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Stroman

• Andrew McCutchen: 3 for 17, one double, three RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts
• Adam Frazier: 5 for 13, three RBIs
• Tommy Pham: 6 for 12, one double, one RBI, four walks, three strikeouts
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 11, two strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 5 for 10, one double, one strikeout
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
• Jack Suwinski: 0 for 6, two strikeouts
• Joey Bart: 3 for 4, one double, one home run, two RBIs

Tidbits

• Andrew McCutchen started in right field on Friday for the first time since May 19, 2024. At the plate, he finished 3 for 4, his first three-hit game since going 3 for 5 against the Minnesota Twins last year on June 8.
• The Pirates committed two errors in Friday’s loss. They’re tied with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks for the most errors in MLB with seven.
• Aaron Judge enters play ranked ninth among active players with 321 home runs. McCutchen is ranked 10th with 320.

Links

Perrotto: Sell the Team? How About Tell the Truth

Andrew McCutchen Turns Back the Clock in Pirates Home Opener

Pirates Fall to Yankees in Opener; Fans Hit Breaking Point, Loudly Rip Nutting

‘Sell The Team Bob’ Banner Flies Over PNC Park Ahead of Pirates Home Opener

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