Pirates Preview: Bucs ‘Phiten’ Nationals Again on Tuesday Night

The Pittsburgh Pirates set a season-high in runs and hits in a 10-3 thumping of the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on Monday night.

In addition to the offense finally breaking out, Paul Skenes threw 6.0 strong innings and earned his second win on the young season.

The Pirates (6-11) will try and make it back-to-back wins over the Nats (6-10) to start the four-game series on Jackie Robinson Day.

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

Weather

A mostly cloudy day in Pittsburgh with a slight chance of scattered showers throughout. Temperatures will creep into the 40s for the game with winds blowing W at 16-17 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-1, 4.24 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller was dominant in his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. The right-hander tossed 7.1-shutout innings but got a no-decision as the Pirates won in extras.

In the game, Keller notched his 700th-career strikeout and became the fastest pitcher in franchise history to reach 700 strikeouts by innings pitched (718.1).

It was a nice bounce-back outing for Keller, who was tagged for seven runs in 3.2 innings against the New York Yankees in his previous start.

In his career against the Nationals, Keller is 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA in five-career starts.

RHP Jake Irvin (0-0, 5.63 ERA) Will Start for the Nationals

Irvin last pitched on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and allowed four runs on four hits in 6.0 innings.

It’s been a rough start to the year for the right-hander, who has been plagued by the long ball. In his first three starts, a total of 16.0 innings, Irvin has already allowed four home runs.

Last season, Irvin led baseball by making 33 starts. He finished with a 10-14 record and a 4.41 ERA.

Irvin faced the Pirates last season at PNC Park in September. He allowed six runs in 5.0 innings and took the loss in Pittsburgh’s 9-4 win.

Nationals Hitters vs. Keller

• Keibert Ruiz: 4 for 12, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
• Luis García Jr.: 4 for 11, three doubles, one RBI, three strikeouts
• Paul DeJong: 1 for 10, one home run, two RBI, one walk, six strikeouts
• Josh Bell: 6 for 9, one double, one home run, three RBI, four walks
• Amed Rosario: 1 for 3, one RBI, one walk
• José Tena: 1 for 3, one strikeout
• James Wood: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Irvin

• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one RBI
• Oneil Cruz: 1 for 2, one double, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

• Paul Skenes and Henry Davis became the first battery made up of first-overall picks in MLB history.
• Monday’s win was the 300th for Derek Shelton with the Pirates. He’s the 12th manager in franchise history to hit that mark.
• The Pirates’ 10 runs on Monday night were the most they had in a game since 8/28/24 in a 14-10 loss to the Cubs. They also committed four errors, the most they’ve had in a game since 5/29/24 against the Tigers.

Links

Perrotto: Paul Skenes Puts Pirates Back on Their Axis

The Magic of the Phitens: McCutchen’s Necklaces Spark Pirates’ Offense

Paul Skenes Returns to Form, Offense Finally Comes Alive in Pirates’ Win Over Nats

Pirates’ Battery Makes History vs. Nationals

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