Pirates Preview: Bucs Go for Series Win in Battle of Southpaws

The Pittsburgh Pirates were outmatched by the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Monday night and were defeated 8-1.

Mike Burrows allowed a career-high three home runs and took his fourth loss of the season while Giants starter Logan Webb struck out 10 batters.

The Pirates (49-65) will look to rebound in the rubber match against the Giants (57-57) on Wednesday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 100.1 FM & AM 1020.

Weather

Cloudy skies should give way to sunshine during the game. Temperatures in the low 80s with winds ESE at 7-8 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (5-9, 4.89 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Heaney allowed four runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings in the Pirates disastrous 17-16 loss to the Colorado Rockies to open the month.

The left-hander has only worked past the fifth inning once over his last eight starts and has an 8.72 ERA during that time.

Despite a rocky stretch of late, Heaney has been solid when pitching at PNC Park this year. He has a 3.25 ERA in 10 home starts compared to a 6.55 ERA on the road.

In eight career starts against the Giants, Heaney is 1-4 with a 5.84 ERA.

LHP Robbie Ray (9-5, 2.85 ERA) Will Start for the Giants

Ray pitched seven innings and allowed one run on four hits with six strikeouts against the New York Mets on Friday.

The veteran left-hander ranks ninth among MLB starters with a .201 opponent batting average, is eighth among National League starters in ERA and 10th in strikeouts with 140.

The Giants are 16-7 in games started by Ray this season, meaning they are 41-50 in games started by anyone else.

In six career starts against San Francisco, Ray is 2-2 with a 4.78 ERA.

Giants Hitters vs. Heaney

• Willy Adames: 7 for 18, two home runs, four RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
• Matt Chapman: 4 for 18, one double, one home run, four RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
• Wilmer Flores: 7 for 16, two doubles, one home run, two RBI, three strikeouts
• Rafael Devers: 2 for 11, five strikeouts
• Heliot Ramos: 2 for 4, one double, one home run, three RBI, one walk, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Ray

• Andrew McCutchen: 6 for 19, two home runs, three RBI, five walks, five strikeouts
• Tommy Pham: 5 for 12, one double, five walks, five strikeouts
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 6, two walks, two strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 3, one RBI
• Joey Bart: 1 for 3, one double, two strikeouts

Tidbits

• Mike Burrows hadn’t allowed a home run over his last three starts entering play and only allowed one home run across five starts since the start of July.
• Bryan Reynolds finished 2 for 4 with a double and now has three multi-hit games out of the four he’s started to begin August. He’s batting .389 (7 for 18) so far this month.
• Oneil Cruz is hitless over his last 19 at-bats after going 2 for 6 with a grand slam against the Colorado Rockies on Friday.

Links

Sources: Pirates’ Payroll Unlikely to Rise in ’26 Despite Heat From MLB

Cam Sanders Won’t Have to Look Far for Reminder of Dream Come True

Pirates No Match for Logan Webb in Loss to Giants; Mike Burrows Hit Hard

Pirates Roster Moves: Johan Oviedo Optioned, Reliever Cam Sanders Selected for MLB Debut

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