Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Look to Keep Bats Hot vs. Brewers

Published

2 weeks ago

June 24, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates' Nick Gonzales hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Pirates opened their three-game series against the Brewers in Milwaukee with a 5-4 win on Monday night.

Nick Gonzales went 5 for 5 in the win, and Tommy Pham connected on his first home run of the season as part of a two-hit performance.

The Pirates (32-48), who collected 14 hits in their win over the Brewers (43-36), will look to keep the bats hot in search of a series win.

First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

American Family Field has a retractable roof, so weather won’t be an issue this series.

LHP Andrew Heaney (3-6, 3.94 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

Heaney allowed a season-high seven runs n 4.0 innings in a 9-2 loss to the Tigers in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday.

After a really good start to the year, Heaney has a 5.29 ERA (30er/51.0ip) over his last 10 starts and a 6.08 ERA (18er/26.2ip) over his last five.

The left-hander is seeking his first win since May 21 against the Reds. Heaney has lost three-straight decisions and five of his last six, while the Pirates are just 2-8 in his last 10 starts.

In his career against the Brewers, Heaney is 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA across four starts.

RHP Freddy Peralta (7-4, 2.76 ERA) Will Start For the Brewers

Peralta only gave up two hits but both left the yard and allowed three runs in 5.0 innings against the Cubs on Thursday.

The tough right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in 15 of his 16 starts this season and has a 2.74 ERA (7er/23.0ip) in four starts this month.

Peralta ranks fifth in the National League in ERA and third in batting average against (.200).

Peralta held the Pirates to one run in 4.1 innings at PNC Park earlier this season. He’s faced Pittsburgh 23 times — his most appearances against against any team — and is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA.

Brewers Hitters vs. Heaney

Christian Yelich: 3 for 11, one double, one walk, four strikeouts
Jake Bauers: 2 for 5, one double, one strikeout
William Contreras: 3 for 4, two doubles, one RBI, one walk
Brice Turang: 2 for 3, one walk, one strikeout
Jackson Chourio: 1 for 3, one RBI
Eric Haase: 1 for 3, one triple
Joey Ortiz: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Peralta

Bryan Reynolds: 12 for 33, one double, one triple, one home run, four RBI, five walks, 11 strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 5 for 15, two doubles, home run, two RBI, two walks, six strikeouts
Adam Frazier: 4 for 14, one double, two walks, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 14, one home run, three RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 1 for 10, one walk, six strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 9, one home run, one RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 1 for 7, one RBI, two strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 5
Nick Gonzales: 1 for 4, one double, two RBI, one strikeout
Henry Davis: 0 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 2, one home run, three RBI, one walk

Tidbits

Nick Gonzales’ five hits in Monday’s win set a career-high. He never had more than three hits in a game entering play.
Tommy Pham’s home run was his first since last year on Sep. 10 against the Yankees as a member of the Royals.
After allowing one hit in 1.2-scoreless innings of relief on Monday, Isaac Mattson has held opponents to a .114 batting average this season. In 18.2 innings with the Pirates dating back to last season, Mattson’s faced 70 batters and has only allowed six hits.