Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Look to Stay Hot Against Braves

Published

9 months ago

May 25, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates erupted for a season-high in runs in an 11-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at PNC Park.

Nick Gonzales drove in a career-high four runs, Jared Triolo homered and all nine Pirates’ in the starting lineup had at least one hit.

On the mound, Bailey Falter worked into the eighth inning for a second-straight start and continued to get good results as he’s done for the majority of the season.

The Pirates (24-28) will look to stay hot and clinch a series victory over the Braves (29-19) on Saturday.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

There’s a threat of storms in the late afternoon/early evening but they might be able to get this one in. Temperatures in the 80s and winds W at 8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (5-3, 3.84 ERA)

Keller’s excellent string of starts continued against the Cubs in Chicago on Sunday when he allowed a pair of runs in six innings pitched.

The Pirates’ right-hander has worked at least six innings in each of his last three starts and has posted a 1.29 ERA over that span (3er/21ip). He’s won all three of those outings.

Thanks to his efforts of late, Keller has trimmed down his season ERA from 5.18 on the last day of April to a much-healthier 3.84 mark.

It’s been a struggle against the Braves for Keller in his career. In five previous meetings, Keller is 0-3 with a 9.97 ERA. That’s the highest ERA he has against any team he’s faced multiple times.

The Atlanta Braves Will Send Out RHP Reynaldo López (2-1, 1.54 ERA)

After spending essentially all of the last three years as a reliver, the Braves signed López as a free agent this winter to help in the rotation and the decision has paid massive dividends.

Among pitchers with 40-plus innings on the year, López ranks third in ERA behind left-handers Shota Imanaga and Ranger Suárez.

In five career appearances/two starts against the Pirates. López is 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA. His lone win came at PNC Park in 2016 while with the Nationals when they clinched the division.

Braves Hitters vs. Keller

Ronald Acuña Jr.: 6 for 15, three home runs, four RBIs, one walk, three strikeouts
Ozzie Albies: 2 for 11, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts
Austin Riley: 4 for 10, one triple, four RBIs, three strikeouts
Marcell Ozuna: 2 for 9, one strikeout
Joey Wendle: 4 for 8, one RBI, one strikeout
Matt Olson: 4 for 8. one double, one strikeout
Michael Harris II: 2 for 7, two strikeouts
Travis d’Arnaud: 3 for 6, two doubles, four RBIs, two strikeouts
Orlando Arcia: 4 for 5, one double, one RBI
Jarred Kelenic: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. López

Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 6, two RBIs, two strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 2 for 4, one home run, one RBI
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI
Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 3, three strikeouts
Edward Olivares: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI

Tidbits

The Pirates collected 14 hits in their win and are now 15-0 on the season when they have 10 hits or more. They’re the only undefeated team in the majors in such games.
Bailey Falter didn’t allow any runs until the eight inning. His string of 19.2 consecutive scoreless innings is the longest by a Pirates’ left-hander since Francisco Liriano in 2014.
11 runs for the Pirates are their most since scoring 13 against the Cincinnati Reds last September in an epic comeback that saw the Pirates storm back from a 9-0 deficit.