Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Finally Win, Can They Do it Again?

Published

2 months ago

August 17, 2024

For the first time since Aug. 3, the Pittsburgh Pirates were winners with a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night at PNC Park.

Paul Skenes got the win after tossing six-solid innings, Yasmani Grandal homered and Oneil Cruz delivered a clutch two-run double with two outs in the seventh.

After losing 10 in a row, the Pirates will look to make it back-to-back wins when they play the Mariners on Saturday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:05 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Mix of clouds and sun with temperatures approaching 90 degrees. Winds SSW at 9-10 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (5-7, 4.07 ERA)

Inefficiency was Falter’s downfall in his last start against the Dodgers. The left-handed lasted just four innings and allowed four runs on 94 pitches.

Falter has made three starts since returning from the injured list with one a two-inning outing that was cut short due to rain. Combined between three three starts, Falter has allowed six runs (five earned) in 11.1 innings with opponents hitting .333 against him.

In nine starts at PNC Park this season, Falter has a 3.66 ERA. On the road, he’s posted a 4.42 ERA across 11 starts.

Falter has pitched well in two career starts against Seattle. He has a 3.38 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

The Seattle Mariners Will Send Out RHP Luis Castillo (10-11, 3.40 ERA)

Castillo has worked at least six innings in all seven of his starts since the beginning of July. Over that stretch, he has a sparkling 2.27 ERA.

The right-hander ranks ninth in baseball this season with 148.1 innings and is tied for second with 25 starts. His 148 strikeouts, meanwhile, rank seventh in the American League.

Castillo throws his four-seam fastball 44% of the time and also has a slider, sinker and changeup.

He has extensive experience against the Pirates from his days with the Reds. Against Pittsburgh in his career, Castillo is 6-4 with a 2.32 ERA but a 4.45 ERA in six starts at PNC Park.

Mariners Hitters vs. Falter

Victor Robles: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
Julio Rodríguez: 1 for 5, one RBI, three strikeouts
Cal Raleigh: 0 for 4, three strikeouts
Justin Turner: 0 for 4, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Castillo

Yasmani Grandal: 6 for 16, two doubles, two home runs, three RBIs, four walks, five strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 11, one double, five strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 0 for 11, two walks, four strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 9, one walk, three strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 8, one double, one RBI, three strikeouts
Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 6, one double, two RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts
Connor Joe: 2 for 5, one double, three RBIs, one walk, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI

Tidbits

Paul Skenes’ win was his first since July 11. He had taken two losses and had two no decisions in his four starts in between.
Since July 5, Yasmani Grandal is slashing .283/.353/.565 with four doubles, three home runs and five RBIs in 15 games.
Andrew McCutchen extended his hitting streak to 11 games but left the game with left knee discomfort. Oneil Cruz also left the game with what the Pirates said was left ankle discomfort.