Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Face Scorching Starter in the Desert

Published

3 weeks ago

May 27, 2025

Andrew McCutchen, Tarrik Brock, Pittsburgh Pirates

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 5-0 to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Memorial Day in the first of a three-game series.

Braxton Ashcraft made his anticipated MLB debut out of the bullpen and pitched well, but the offense was shut out for the ninth time this season in the loss.

The Pirates (19-36) will look for better results on Tuesday night against former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and the Diamondbacks (27-27).

First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Chase Field is protected by a roof so weather will not be a factor this series.

RHP Mike Burrows (0-1, 7.20 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Burrows made his first-career start on Thursday night against the Brewers at PNC Park and took the loss after allowing four runs in 5.0 innings.

The Brewers scored four times — on two home runs — in the first two innings before Burrows settled in and finished his start with three-scoreless frames.

In eight appearances/seven starts with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. Burrows went 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 32.1 innings.

This will be his first time facing Arizona and his first-career road start.

RHP Corbin Burnes (3-2, 2.73 ERA) Will Start for the Diamondbacks

Burnes last pitched against the Dodgers on Wednesday and allowed three runs in 7.0 innings but took the loss.

The veteran right-hander has worked at least 6.0 innings in each of his last four starts and has a 1.38 ERA (4er/26.0ip) during that stretch.

Burnes, who is in his first season with the Diamondbacks after signing a six-year deal in the offseason, is 12th in the National League in ERA among pitchers with 50-plus innings.

Burnes has made 23 appearances against the Pirates — the most he’s had against any team. 11 of those have been starts. He’s 7-2 with a 3.53 ERA against Pittsburgh in his career.

Diamondbacks Hitters vs. Burrows

Pirates Hitters vs. Burnes

Bryan Reynolds: 6 for 26, two doubles, two RBI, three walks, nine strikeouts
Adam Frazier: 5 for 21, one RBI, three strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 16, one home run, one RBI, one walk, six strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 11, two doubles, one RBI, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 2 for 7, two home runs, six RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 2 for 7, one walk, one strikeout
Joey Bart: 1 for 7, one double, one walk, two strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 7
Henry Davis: 0 for 6
Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Andrew Heaney allowed a season-high five runs against the Diamondbacks on Monday. He had only allowed four runs total over his previous three starts.
Andrew McCutchen enters Tuesday’s game needing one more hit to tie Arky Vaughan for ninth place on the franchise all-time hit list with 1,709.
Adam Frazier is batting .500 (11 for 22) with two doubles, four RBI and three walks over his last six games.