Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Break Out Brooms Against Mighty Dodgers?

Published

8 months ago

June 6, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates came out on top against the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second-straight night thanks to a big game from the bats on Wednesday.

A seven-run second inning paved the way to a 10-6 win for the Pirates (29-32), giving them a series win and a chance for a sweep against the Dodgers (38-25).

Nick Gonzales matched a career-high with four RBIs and Paul Skenes struck out eight and allowed three runs in five innings pitched.

Thursday’s series finale is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Slight chance for thunderstorms around first pitch wit temperatures in the lower 70s. Winds WNW at 7-9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (3-2, 3.22 ERA)

Falter continued his dominance in his last start against the Blue Jays when he blanked Toronto and struck out five in six innings.

It was the second time in his last three starts that Falter hasn’t allowed a run. He blanked the Chicago Cubs across a career-high 7.2 innings on May 18.

After allowing six runs in five innings in his first start of the season, Falter has a 2.54 ERA over his last 10 starts and has held opponents to a .190 batting average.

Falter has one prior appearance against the Dodgers, when he threw three scoreless innings of relief.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Will Send Out RHP Walker Buehler (1-3, 4.32 ERA)

Since throwing six-shutout frames against the Reds on May 18, Buehler has been somewhat shaky over his last two starts.

In 11.2 innings over his last two outings, Buehler has allowed seven runs, six of which have been earned. He’s taken the loss on both occasions.

Buehler returned from Tommy Joh surgery in early May. He’s generated solid results but has been plagued by the long ball. He’s surrendered six home runs in 25 innings so far on the season.

Buehler was originally selected by the Pirates in the 14th round of the 2012 draft out of high school but did not sign. He’s faced Pittsburgh three times and is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA.

Dodgers Hitters vs. Falter

Miguel Rojas: 2 for 7
Teoscar Hernández: 1 for 3, one home run two RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Buehler

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 9, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 6
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 4, one double, one walk, two strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 3

Tidbits

Paul Skenes leads all qualified pitchers with 12.67 strikeouts per nine since making his MLB debut. Nick Gonzales leads the National League with 20 RBIs since his season debut on May 10.
In the second inning on Wednesday, the Pirates scored seven runs on six hits and sent 11 batters to the plate. All were season-highs in a single inning this year.
Aroldis Chapman hit 104.0 mph in the seventh inning was the hardest by a Pirate in the Statcast Era and the fastest pitch in MLB this season.