Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Make it 3 Straight With Halos in Town?

The Pittsburgh Pirates were 5-3 victors over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon, earning a series win in the rubber match.

Oneil Cruz connected on a two-run home run, his second in his last three games played, to put the Pirates (16-19) ahead and the Bucs never looked back.

The Pirates have a chance to make is three wins in a row as the Los Angeles Angels (12-22) come to town for the start of a three-game series.

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

Weather

Cloudy skies with temperatures in the 70s and a chance for thunderstorms around first pitch. Winds W at 5-6 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (2-3, 5.18 ERA)

Keller’s inconsistent 2024 season has continued with three-straight subpar outings.

In his last start against the Oakland A’s, Keller allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out seven in five innings pitched.

Over his last three starts, Keller has a 6.19 ERA (11er/16ip). In the two starts before those three, he posted a 2.77 ERA (4er/13ip).

In his career against the Angels, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 6.30 ERA in two appearances.

The Los Angeles Angels Will Send Out LHP Tyler Anderson (2-3, 2.23 ERA)

Anderson will get a chance to face his former team and continue his hot start to the season.

The veteran left-hander made 21 starts with the Pirates in 2021 and went 5-8 with a 4.35 ERA before he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for a pair of prospects.

Anderson’s 2.23 ERA is good for eighth in the American League. He’s held opponents to a .165 batting average and a .605 OPS.

Anderson allowed four runs in six innings against the Pirates in his lone appearance against them. He has a 3.31 ERA in nine starts at PNC Park.

Angels Hitters vs. Keller

• Brandon Drury: 3 for 5, two doubles, one home run, six RBIs, one walk
• Kevin Pillar: 2 for 5
• Luis Rengifo: 2 for 4, one home run, one RBI
• Matt Thaiss: 2 for 4, one RBI, one strikeout
• Taylor Ward: 2 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
• Mickey Moniak: 1 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Anderson

• Michael A. Taylor: 4 for 12, one walk, four strikeouts
• Connor Joe: 3 for 10, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
• Joey Bart: 2 for 7, one home run, two RBIs, three strikeouts
• Yasmani Grandal: 1 for 7, one home run, three RBIs, four walks, three strikeouts
• Edward Olivares: 1 for 7, one walk, one strikeout
• Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 5, one walk, three strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

• The Pirates’ series win over the Rockies was their first since they took two of three against the Baltimore Orioles from Apr. 5-7.
• Bryan Reynolds snapped an 0-for-11 skid with two hits on Sunday — a double and his first triple of the season.
• Prior to scoring five runs against Rockies starter Ryan Feltner, the Pirates had not scored against a starting pitcher this month.

Links

Pittsburgh Roots: Greensburg Central Catholic Grad Warren Schaeffer a Prominent Member of Rockies’ Staff

Pirates Prospect Watch: Paul Skenes’ Last Start in Triple-A?

Pirates Takeaways: Reynolds’ Changes Work, Cruz Sparks Offense

Pirates’ Bats Come Alive in 6th Inning to Defeat Rockies 5-3

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