Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Begin Last Home Series of 2024

Published

3 weeks ago

September 24, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates salvaged their three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds with a 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Skenes dazzled and got his 11th win on the season. On offense, the Bucs relied on a pair of solo home runs — one from Oneil Cruz and another from Nick Yorke, the first of his big league career.

After a day off on Monday, the Pirates (73-83) return to PNC Park for the final home series of the year against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers (89-67).

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

Weather

Cloudy with possible rain showers during the evening. Winds SE at 8-9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (8-8, 4.15 ERA)

Falter took his first loss since July 6 his last time out but pitched well. Against the Cardinals in St. Louis, Falter allowed two runs in 5.2 innings.

The left-hander has only been charged with two runs in his last 13 innings over his last two starts. On Sep. 11, Falter carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

It’s been a solid season for Falter, who has already set career-highs in wins, starts (26), innings (134.1) and strikeouts (92).

Falter faced Milwaukee at PNC Park in April and allowed one run in seven innings en route to his second win on the season. He has a 1.23 ERA in three career appearances against the Brewers.

The Milwaukee Brewers Will Send Out RHP Tobias Myers (8-6, 3.05 ERA)

Myers lasted just four innings in his last start and took the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It’s been a solid first season for Myers, who ranks fourth among rookie starters in ERA and seventh in strikeouts with 120.

The right-hander features a four-seamer, cutter, slider, changeup and the occasional curveball. His changeup, despite only using it 11% of the time, grades very well.

Myers made his MLB debut against the Pirates on Apr. 23 and has faced them twice. He’s allowed one run across 13 innings with a .178 batting average against.

Brewers Hitters vs. Falter

William Contreras: 2 for 10, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts
Willy Adames: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
Brice Turang: 2 for 5, one strikeout
Andruw Monasterio: 0 for 4
Gary Sánchez: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI
Jackson Chourio: 0 for 3, three strikeouts
Joey Ortiz: 0 for 3
Blake Perkins: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Myers

Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 7, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 5
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 5, one double, one strikeout
Jared Triolo: 1 for 4, one walk, two strikeouts
Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Bryan De La Cruz: 2 for 2, one double

Tidbits

Paul Skenes became the second player since 1913 to post a sub-2.00 ERA through the first 22 starts of his career (Steve Rogers, 1,95 ERA from 1973-74).
His 167 strikeouts through 22 appearances are the fifth-most in the modern era. He’s behind Hideo Nomo in 1995 (194), Kerry Wood in 1998 (193), Mark Prior in 2002-03 (172) and Dwight Gooden in 1984 (171).
Andrew McCutchen hit a leadoff homer against Tobias Myers on the right-hander’s first MLB pitch but the Pirates have failed to score a run against him since.