Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs’ Scuffling Offense Faces Tall Task Against Kutter Crawford

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak reached four games after an 8-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park on Friday night.

Quinn Priester made his 2024 debut and surrendered three of the four home runs for Boston (11-10) in the game. The Pirates’ offense continued to struggle and had one hit through the first seven innings before finally pushing across a run in the ninth.

The Pirates (11-9) will attempt to put their four-game losing streak in the rearview mirror on Saturday against a tough starting pitcher.

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

Weather

Sunny skies and cold temperatures. 57 degrees at first pitch with winds blowing WNW at 15 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (2-1, 4.50 ERA)

After a pair of shaky starts to begin the season, Keller has been much better in his last two.

Keller held the Tigers to two runs in six innings and struck out nine on Apr. 8. In his last outing, he pitched a season-high seven innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander earned the win in both games.

Keller has made two previous appearances against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with an even-5.00 ERA. In interleague play, he’s 6-10 with a 4.78 ERA in 22 starts.

The Boston Red Sox Will Send Out RHP Kutter Crawford (0-0, 0.42 ERA)

Crawford might be the early leader in the American League Cy Young race. Through his first four outings, a span of 21.1 innings pitched, he’s been charged with only one earned run.

The right-hander has struck out 24 batters and walked eight. His holding opponents to a .122 batting average, a .366 OPS and has yet to yield a home run.

In his lone start against the Pirates in his career, Crawford was rocked for seven runs on eight hits in four innings pitched. He’s 2-3 with a 5.10 ERA in 10 interleague appearances.

Red Sox Hitters vs. Keller

Tristan Casas: 1 for 3, one double
Masataka Yoshida: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Crawford

Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 3, two home runs, two RBIs
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 1, one RBI, one walk

Tidbits

During their four-game losing streak, the Pirates as a team have gone 17 for 121 (.140 batting average)
Prior to Quinn Priester’s rough start, the Pirates rotation had a 2.52 ERA (22er/78.2ip) over their last 12 starts.
Bryan Reynolds drew two more free passes in Friday’s game and ranks tied for sixth in the majors with 16 walks.