Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Keep Offense Rolling?

Published

1 month ago

April 23, 2025

20240807, The Pittsburgh Pirates face the San Diego Padres at PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Photos by Harrison Barden)

The Pittsburgh Pirates exploded for a season-high 18 hits in a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.

Six different Pirates had multi-hit games including Andrew McCutchen, who hit a three-run home run to left-center in the fourth inning.

The Pirates (9-15) will try and keep the offense rolling in Anaheim in the second game of their series with the Angels (11-11).

First pitch is set for 9:38 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Clear skies and temperatures in the low-60s. Winds WSW at 6-8 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (1-1, 2.13 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Heaney is fresh off an outing in which he earned his first win of the season after blanking the Nationals on five hits in 7.1 innings.

It marked the first time the veteran left-hander pitched into the eighth inning since throwing 7.2 innings while with the Angels against the Mariners on Aug. 28, 2020.

Heaney ranks sixth in the National League in WHIP (0.91), sixth in opponent batting average (.191) and eighth in ERA.

In six appearances/four starts against his former team, Heaney is 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA.

RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-2, 6.20 ERA) vs. Will Start for the Angels

Kochanowicz had two solid outings to start the season but has been roughed up lately.

Over his last two starts, the right-hander has allowed 10 runs on 15 hits in 9.1 innings. He’s only struck out two batters and walked four.

The 24-year-old had a good rookie season in 2024. The native of Bryn Mawr, Penn., finished with a 3.99 ERA across 11 starts.

This will be his first time facing Pittsburgh.

Angels Hitters vs. Heaney

Tim Anderson: 6 for 19, two doubles, two RBI, four strikeouts
Jorge Soler: 1 for 15, one double, three walks, four strikeouts
J.D. Davis: 4 for 13, one home run, two RBI, one walk, five strikeouts
Taylor Ward: 0 for 10, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Travis d’Arnaud: 4 for 6, two home runs, two RBI
Logan O’Hoppe: 3 for 5, one strikeout
Zach Neto: 2 for 5, one double, one home run, two RBI
Luis Rengifo: 2 for 3, one double, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Kochanowicz

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen’s home run was his 237th with the Pirates. He’s now three away from tying Roberto Clemente for third place in franchise history.
Of the Pirates’ 18 hits on Tuesday, 15 were singles. That’s the most singles they’ve had in a game since May 17, 2016.
Mike Trou has homered against 28 of the 29 teams he’s faced in his career. The one team he has yet to homer against? The Pittsburgh Pirates.