Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Bounce Back Against Cardinals After Win Streak Ends?

Published

5 months ago

July 22, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates saw their season-best six-game win streak come to a close with a 6-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates’ offense couldn’t push across a run against rookie starter Tyler Phillips or the Phillies’ bullpen. Marco Gonzales started for the Pirates — his second since returning from the injured list — and allowed two runs in 4.2 innings.

The Pirates (50-49) will look to start a new streak when they host the St. Louis Cardinals (52-47) at PNC Park on Monday night.

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

Weather

Thunderstorm warning around game time with temperatures in the upper-70s. Winds ESE at 5 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (10-5, 3.46 ERA)

Keller’s streak of 49-straight starts of going at least five innings came to an end in a three-inning outing against the Chicago White Sox in the first-half finale last Sunday.

The right-hander’s stretch was tied with A.J. Burnett the second-longest such streak in Pirates’ history. Keller and Burnett trail only Wilbur Cooper, who went at least five innings in 66-straight starts from 1919-20.

Though he threw eight innings against the Mets on July 8, Keller hasn’t been quite as effective of late. Over his last four starts, he has a 4.98 ERA and opponents have an .871 OPS against him.

Keller has already faced the Cardinals twice this season and has taken the loss in both starts. In his career against the Cardinals, Keller is 2-3 with a 3.97 ERA in a dozen starts.

The St. Louis Cardinals Will Send Out RHP Andre Pallante (4-4, 4.21 ERA)

In his last start before the break, Pallante pitched 6.1 winnings against the Royals and allowed four runs on six hits.

The 25-year-old shifted from the bullpen to the starting rotation at the end of May and has posted a 3.70 ERA in eight outings as a starter.

Pallante induces groundballs nearly 60% of balls put in play against him. He mainly relies on his four-seamer and also has a sinker, slider and curveball.

The right-hander held the Pirates to one run in seven innings on the 4th of July in Pittsburgh. This will be his 15th appearance against the Bucs in his career, the most he’s had against any single opponent.

Cardinals Hitters vs. Keller

Paul Goldschmidt: 7 for 29, two doubles, one home run, three RBIs, three walks, six strikeouts
Nolan Arenado: 4 for 22, one double, one home run, four RBIs, four strikeouts
Willson Contreras: 6 for 17, three doubles, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, seven strikeouts
Brendan Donovan: 4 for 15, one double, one home run, one RBI
Nolan Gorman: 3 for 14, one double, one home run, four RBIs, two walks, four strikeouts
Lars Nootbaar: 5 for 12, one double, one home run, two RBIs, five walks, four strikeouts
Dylan Carlson: 1 for 11, two walks, three strikeouts
Masyn Winn: 4 for 9, one double, one triple, two strikeouts
Alec Burleson: 2 for 9, one home run, two RBIs, two strikeouts
Matt Carpenter: 2 for 8, one double, two walks, two strikeouts
Michael Siani: 3 for 7, two strikeouts
Brandon Crawford: 3 for 6, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
José Fermín: 2 for 3, one triple
Pedro Pagés: 1 for 3, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Palante

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 11, two home runs, three RBIs, two strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 2 for 9, one double, two RBIs, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 7, one walk, two strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 3 for 5, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 5, three walks, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 1 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Joshua Palacios: 1 for 4
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 3, one walk, one strikeout
Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen extended his hitting streak to seven games in Sunday’s loss. During that stretch, he’s batting .333 (9 for 27) with a .975 OPS.
Connor Joe has not hit a home run since June 7. Since then, he is slashing .164/.274/.233 in 84 plate appearances across 28 games.
Mitch Keller has not recorded a win against the Cardinals since Aug. 20, 2021. Since then, he’s gone 0-3 in nine starts.