Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Salvage Series in Atlanta?

Published

7 months ago

June 30, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 2-1 in 10 innings against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday evening.

Rookie Paul Skenes put together yet another dazzling start, but the Pirates (39-43) came up empty in the top of the 10th before Adam Duvall delivered a walk-off for the Braves (46-35) in the bottom of the inning.

The Pirates will look to salvage the series on Sunday at Truist Park.

Early first pitch is set for 11:35 ET and the game will be aired on Roku TV.

Weather

Temperatures will climb to the mid-90s during the game with sunny skies. Winds WNW at 7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (3-6, 4.00 ERA)

Falter last pitched against the Reds on Monday and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in four innings pitched.

The left-hander sported a healthy 3.22 ERA but has struggled in June. During the current month, Falter has a 6.63 ERA in four starts and opponents have slashed .359/.400/.551 against him.

Falter pitched against Atlanta at PNC Park on May 24 and allowed three runs in 7.1 innings in the Pirates’ 11-5 win.

In his career against the Braves, Falter is 1-1 with a 6.41 ERA in four starts.

The Atlanta Braves Will Send Out RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (1-3, 5.40 ERA)

Schwellenbach made his major-league debut in late May and has totaled five starts with the Braves since.

In his last outing, the right-hander allowed four runs on six hits in five innings pitched against the Cardinals. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

According to MLB Pipeline, the Braves’ 2021 second-round pick is considered the organization’s third-best prospect.

Sunday will be the first time he pitches against the Pirates.

Braves Hitters vs. Falter

Marcell Ozuna: 4 for 9, two doubles, one RBI, one strikeout
Matt Olson: 2 for 8, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Travis d’Arnaud: 3 for 7, one double, two strikeouts
Austin Riley: 2 for 7, one RBI, one strikeout
Orlando Arcia: 2 for 6, one home run, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Ozzie Albies: 1 for 6, one strikeout
Jarred Kelenic: 2 for 3, one double, one home run, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Schwellenbach

Tidbits

Paul Skenes is the first pitcher in MLB history to strikeout 70 batters and allow 12 runs or fewer in their first nine career starts.
Since making his debut on May 11, Skenes is third in baseball with 12.04 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s fifth in the National League in ERA at 2.06.
Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 25 games with a triple with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. It’s the longest by a Pirates’ player since Kenny Lofton hit safely in 26-straight games in 2003.