Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Go for Sweep at Wrigley Field

Published

2 months ago

September 4, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the Chicago Cubs 5-0 on Tuesday for their second-straight win to start the series at Wrigley Field.

Paul Skenes navigated traffic and delivered five-shutout innings and Jared Triolo hit a late three-run home run to carry the Bucs to a win.

The Pirates (65-73) will look to complete the series sweep against the Cubs (71-68) in their final matchup of the season on Wednesday,

First pitch is set for 7:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Clear skies with temperatures in the mid-70s. Winds ESE at 8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Domingo Germán (0-0, 6.11 ERA)

After back-to-back rough outings out of the bullpen, Germán’s season ERA has ballooned from 1.50 to 6.11. He’s been charged with 10 earned runs over his last 5.2 innings pitched.

This will be Germán’s seventh appearance with the Pirates and second start. In his first start against the Rangers in Texas, Germán threw six-shutout innings.

Germán operates primarily with three pitches — a four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup. He’ll also throw an occasional sinker.

He’s made two previous appearances against the Cubs including a 2.2-inning disaster at PNC Park last Monday.

The Chicago Cubs Will Send Out LHP Shota Imanaga (11-3, 3.14 ERA)

Imanaga made six starts in August and went 3-1 with a 3.68 ERA. In his last outing, the rookie delivered a quality start and got the win against the Miami Marlins.

The left-hander leads the National League in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.435) and is second in winning percentage (.786).

Imanaga relies on two primary pitches — a low-90s four-seamer and a splitter, though he’ll mix in a few others on occasion.

He faced the Pirates on May 18 at Wrigley Field and tossed seven-shutout innings in a 1-0 win for the Cubs.

Cubs Hitters vs. Germán

Christian Bethancourt: 2 for 7, one double, one home run, two RBIs, one strikeout
Seiya Suzuki: 3 for 4, one home run, two RBIs
Cody Bellinger: 0 for 4, three walks, one strikeout
Nico Hoerner: 0 for 4, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Isaac Paredes: 0 for 4, three walks, two strikeouts
Mike Tacuhman: 0 for 4, three strikeouts
Dansby Swanson: 1 for 3, one home run, four RBIs, one walk, one strikeout
Ian Happ: 0 for 3, one walk, three strikeouts
Miguel Amaya: 2 for 2, one double, two RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Imanaga

Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3
Jared Triolo: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
Bryan De La Cruz 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Paul Skenes has 142 strikeouts this season. That’s tied with Cy Blanton in 1935 for the most in a single season by a Pirates’ rookie in franchise history.
Oneil Cruz stole his 21th base of the season in the Pirates’ win and has now been successful in each of his last 19 attempts. Cruz has gone 21 for 22 on the season.
Andrew McCutchen recorded a sacrifice fly on Tuesday but saw his 14-game hitting streak come to a close. It was the longest streak by a Pirates’ player aged 37 or older since Honus Wagner’s 16-game hit streak in 1916.