Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Head to Cincinnati to Start Road Trip

Published

7 months ago

June 24, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 3-1 by the Tampa Bay Rays in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.

Paul Skenes had another excellent start for the Pirates (37-40) but the offense managed only three hits. Bryan Reynolds had two of the three — including a home run — and extended his hitting streak to 20 games.

The Pirates will start a six-game road trip on Monday night and will face the Cincinnati Reds (36-41) for the second time in a week.

First pitch is set for 7:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Mostly sunny with temperatures in the 80’s. Winds NNW at 5-6 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (3-5, 3.74 ERA)

Falter had a solid bounce-back start when facing the Reds at PNC Park. He held Cincinnati to two runs in seven innings pitched.

Prior to his most recent start, Falter had allowed eight runs in eight innings pitched over his last two outings.

The left-hander doesn’t rely on strikeouts (5.9 strikeouts per nine innings) but is playing to his strengths by holding opponents to a .234 batting average.

Falter’s strong start against the Reds was encouraging considering he has struggled against them in his career. In six appearances, Falter is 0-2 with a 6.29 ERA against Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Reds Will Send Out RHP Carson Spiers (0-1, 3.20 ERA)

Spiers faced the Pirates on Monday and took the loss after allowing four runs in six innings.

All four runs against Spiers came in the first two innings. The right-hander blanked the Pirates over the final four innings of his start.

Through 25.1 innings this season, Spiers has let to allow a home run. He’s only surrendered one home run in 38.1 innings to start his career.

His last start against the Pirates was the first time he faced them.

Reds Hitters vs. Falter

Jonathan India: 3 for 12, two doubles, one walk
Tyler Stephenson: 5 for 11, one double, one home run, four RBIs, one strikeout
Stuart Fairchild: 2 for 9
Spencer Steer: 5 for 8, one home run, two RBIs, two walks, one strikeout
Jeimer Candelairo: 2 for 5, one home run, two RBIs
TJ Friedl: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Elly De La Cruz: 1 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts
Santiago Espinal: 1 for 3, one home run, two RBIs
Jake Fraley: 1 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Spiers

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 3, two doubles, one RBI, one strikeout
Rowdy Tellez: 2 for 3, two doubles
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 3, two RBIs, one strikeout
Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 3, one RBI
Connor Joe: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 2, one double, one walk

Tidbits

Paul Skenes is the only National League pitcher since 1901 with 60 or more strikeouts and fewer than 10 walks in his first eight career appearances (61 strikeouts, eight walks).
Over his last three starts, Skenes has posted a 0.93 ERA (2er/19.1ip). He tossed a career-high seven innings on Sunday.
Bryan Reynolds’ 20-game hitting streak is the longest by a Pirates’ player since Nate McLouth had a 20-game hitting streak from 2007-08.