Connect with us

Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Head North of the Border

Published

on

Nick Gonzales, Pittsburgh Pirates

Before an off day on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates split a doubleheader against the Tigers in Detroit on Wednesday, falling in game one before earning a split in the back half.



In game one, the Pirates (26-30) couldn’t muster anything on offense and rookie Jared Jones had the worst start of his career, resulting in an 8-0 loss.

The second game was a complete flip of the script. The Bucs’ bats erupted for 10 runs and top prospect Paul Skenes turned in another strong start.

The Pirates’ road trip continues for the start of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (26-29) on Friday night.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

The Rogers Centre has a roof so no weather information is required this series.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (3-2, 3.55 ERA)

Falter again delivered for the Pirates in his last start against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park.

For the second-straight outing, the left-hander worked into the eighth inning, holding the Braves to three runs on six hits in 7.1 innings pitched.

Since he allowed six runs in four innings against the Miami Marlins in his first start of the year, Falter owns a 2.82 ERA and has held opponents to a .198 batting average.

Falter has never faced the Blue Jays in his career.

The Toronto Blue Jays Will Send Out RHP José Berríos (5-4, 2.94 ERA)

BerrĂ­os had an excellent start against the Tigers in his last outing on Saturday.

For the fourth time this season and the third in his last five starts, he completed seven innings. BerrĂ­os held Detroit to two runs.

The right-hander is tied for seventh in the American League with his five wins and is 11th with 67.1 innings pitched.

In three previous matchups with the Pirates, BerrĂ­os has a spotless 2-0 record and a 3.38 ERA.

Blue Jays Hitters vs. Falter

  • Daulton Varsho: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. BerrĂ­os

  • Yasmani Grandal: 1 for 16, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
  • Edward Olivares: 3 for 9, one RBI, three strikeouts
  • Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 7, two strikeouts
  • Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 6, one double, one triple, two strikeouts
  • Rowdy Tellez: 2 for 5, two home runs, four RBIs, one strikeout
  • Andrew McCutchen: 0 for 4, one walk, two strikeouts
  • Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 3, one strikeout
  • Connor Joe: 1 for 3, one RBI, two strikeouts

Tidbits

  • Andrew McCutchen drove in four runs for the Pirates for the 17th time in his career in Wednesday’s win. The Pirates are 16-1 when in games when he drives in at least four runs.
  • Paul Skenes joined Bobby Witt (1986) and Freddy Peralta (2018) as the only three pitchers with two games with nine-plus strikeouts and three or fewer hits allowed through their first four starts.
  • Bailey Falter’s 2.82 ERA since Apr. 6 is the 14th-best in the National League.

Links

MLB Pipeline Mocks Big Prep Shortstop to Pirates

Pirates Minor League Report: Two Homers for Luke Brown

Kent Tekulve and ’79 Pirates Still Possess What Made Them Champions (+)

Pirates Minor League Profile: This McAdoo Plays Baseball and is Opening Eyes

Around the Network:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Molinari: Adding Top-Six Winger Critical for Penguins, But So is Patience

Steelers Now: What is the Ceiling for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr? (+)

Pittsburgh Sports Now: It Felt Right for New Pitt DT Anthony Johnson to Come Home

Subscribe Today!

Subscribe today!

PBN in your Inbox

Enter your email address to get all of our posts sent directly to your inbox.

Copyright © 2024 National Hockey Now. All rights reserved. In no way endorsed by the Pittsburgh Pirates or Major League Baseball.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/IL) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only) or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only) or 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only) or TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789.

21 plus Responsible Gaming