Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Start Crucial Homestand Against Diamondbacks

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were unable to complete the sweep against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night in a 5-4 loss.

It was a night Oneil Cruz will want to forget. The Pirates shortstop committed three errors in the field and struck out three times at the plate. Bryan De La Cruz finished 2 for 4 in his team debut.

After a day off on Thursday, the Pirates (55-53) will start a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (58-51) for the second time in a week.

First pitch on Friday is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

There’s a slight chance for a storm during the game but otherwise hot and some clouds mixed with sun. Winds WSW at 8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Luis Ortiz (5-2, 2.75)

Ortiz faced the Diamondbacks last Friday and had his worst results as a starting pitcher this season. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in five innings.

In his first four starts of the season, Ortiz had only allowed two runs across 24.2 innings pitched.

Ortiz has not taken the loss since May 8 against the Los Angeles Angels. He’s won three-straight decisions and recorded his first-career save since then.

His start last Friday was the first time he faced Arizona.

The Arizona Diamondbacks Will Send Out RHP Brandon Pfaadt (5-6, 3.92)

The Pirates knocked around Pfaadt when he faceed them in Arizona on Friday night. The 25-year-old was tagged for five runs on seven hits in six innings and struck out four.

Prior to that start, Pfaadt had not allowed more than one run in any his last four starts. Over that span, he posted a 0.77 ERA (2er/23.1ip) and struck out 25 batters against three walks.

Pfaadt’s best pitch is his mid-90s fastball. He also throws a sweeper, sinker, changeup and the occasional curveball.

This will be Pfaadt’s third-career start against the Pirates. He’s gone 1-0 with a 6.35 ERA in the first two matchups.

Diamondbacks Hitters vs. Ortiz

Eugenio Súarez: 1 for 4, one walk, two strikeouts
Corbin Carroll: 1 for 3, one triple, one strikeout
Randal Grichuk: 1 for 3, one RBI
Joc Pederson: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: 2 for 2

Pirates Hitters vs. Pfaadt

Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 6, one triple, three RBIs
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 4, one double, one RBI
Oneil Cruz: 2 for 3, one triple, one home run, one RBI
Ji Hwan Bae: 1 for 3, one RBI
Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Michael A. Taylor ranks fourth among National League outfielders with 10 defensive runs saved. No other player in the top 10 has played less innings in the outfield than Taylor (542).
While Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a healthy .255 in July, he recorded one extra-base hit and only drew two walks in 25 games.
The Pirates have gone 29-22 since June 1. That’s the fifth-best record in baseball over that span.