Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Have Their Hands Full as They Try to Salvage Series

Published

4 days ago

April 13, 2025

Stop me if you heard this before, but the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bats were one again quiet in a 5-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.

Andrew Heaney had one bad inning in which he allowed a grand slam to Reds star Elly De La Cruz that proved too much to overcome.

The Pirates (5-10), who reside in the cellar of the division, will try and salvage their series against the Reds (7-8) on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh as well as 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Sunny skies and temperatures hovering around 60 degrees. Winds S at 10 mph.

RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1, 5.19 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Mlodzinski was solid in his last start and held the St. Louis Cardinals to one run in 5.0 innings.

The converted relief pitcher not only set a career-high in innings but also in strikeouts with six strikeouts. He allowed five hits and walked a pair of batters.

Mlodzinski made his first start of the season agaisnt the Tampa Bay Rays on March 31 and allowed four runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings.

In five relief appearances against the Reds in his career, Mlodzinski has allowed one run on three hits in 6.1 innings.

RHP Hunter Greene (1-1, 1.31 ERA) Will Start for the Reds

The Pirates face a tall task in Greene who has been excellent to start the season.

The right-hander leads National League starters with a 0.63 WHIP and a .139 opponents batting average. His 1.31 ERA is good for fifth and he’s also fifth with 23 strikeouts.

In his last start against the San Francisco Giants, Greene nearly threw a complete game shutout. He pitched 8.2 innings and scattered four hits with seven strikeouts.

Despite an 0-4 record, Greene has pitched well against the Pirates in his career. The 25-year-old has a 3.00 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 36 innings.

Reds Hitters vs. Mlodzinski

TJ Friedl: 1 for 2, one double
Elly De La Cruz: 0 for 2, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Greene

Oneil Cruz: 4 for 12, one double, two home runs, two RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 12, four walks, three strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 11, one home run, two RBI, one strikeout, four walks
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 9, one double, four strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 0 for 8, three walks, six strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 1 for 3, two RBI

Tidbits

Andrew Heaney’s grand slam to Elly De La Cruz was the first he’s given up since 4/2/21 to Jose Abreu. Heaney was pitching for the Angels at the time.
The Pirates enter play on Sunday with the lowest team batting average (.190), slugging percentage (.297) and OPS (.579).
Andrew McCutchen has 22 career home runs at Great American Ball Park, the fourth-most all-time by a visiting player.