Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Complete Sweep Over Mariners?

Published

2 months ago

August 18, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates face the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Photos by Harrison Barden)

The Pittsburgh Pirates won their second-straight game by besting the Seattle Mariners 7-2 at PNC Park on Saturday afternoon.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rowdy Tellez and Jared Triolo all homered in the win and Bailey Falter delivered 5.2 strong innings in his start.

After losing 10 games in a row, the Pirates (58-64) have a chance to complete the sweep against the Mariners (63-61) on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Temperatures around 80 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds. Winds WSW at 9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Jake Woodford (0-4, 5.87 ERA)

Though he hasn’t gotten the win on either occasion, Woodford has made two strong starts with the Pirates since he was selected at the end of July.

On July 31 in Houston, Woodford allowed three unearned runs on two hits in five innings. On Monday in San Diego, the right-hander twirled six-strong innings and only allowed one run in another losing effort.

Overall, Woodford has made four appearances with the Pirates and has provided solid work. He’s posted a 3.07 ERA and has yet to walk a batter in 14.2 innings.

This will be his first time facing Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners Will Send Out RHP George Kirby (8-9, 3.73 ERA)

Kirby was knocked around in his last start against the Tigers. The right-hander allowed 12 hits and 11 runs (six earned) in 3.2 innings pitched.

Prior to his most recent outing, Kirby had a 2.17 ERA and only surrendered four home runs in 13 starts dating back to May 29. He possesses exceptional control and is second in baseball with 1.06 walks per nine innings while leading in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.41).

Kirby has a four-seamer, slider, sinker, splitter and curveball. His fastball grades among the best in baseball.

He faced the Pirates last year and allowed seven runs on nine hits, including four home runs, in 4.2 innings pitched.

Mariners Hitters vs. Woodford

Justin Turner: 1 for 5, one walk
Josh Rojas: 0 for 4, two strikeouts
Jorge Polanco: 2 for 3, one double

Pirates Hitters vs. Kirby

Bryan De La Cruz: 2 for 6, one double, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 5, one double, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 0 for 3
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 2, one triple, two RBIs, one walk

Tidbits

Bailey Falter struck out eight batters on Saturday which matched a career-high. He did it three other times, including earlier this year on Apr. 23 against the Brewers.
With two doubles in the win, Joey Bart extended his on-base streak to 14 games. It’s the second-longest streak by a Pirates’ player this season behind Bryan Reynolds’ 25 games.
George Kirby is the only pitcher since 1900 with at least 50 starts to have more games started than walks (58 walks in 81 starts).