Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Salvage Series vs. Rangers?

Published

3 weeks ago

June 22, 2025

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 3-2 by the Texas Rangers on Saturday for their sixth loss in their last seven games.

Mitch Keller pitched well, but the offense continued to struggle while he’s been on the mound and finished 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

The Pirates (30-48) will try and salvage the series against the Rangers (38-39) in Sunday’s matinee on the banks of the Allegheny.

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Bring some sunscreen if you’re heading to the game. Sunny skies and temperatures creeping up to the mid 90s. Winds WSW at 9-10 mph.

LHP Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.49 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

Falter allowed three runs in 5.0 innings on five hits (two home runs) in the Pirates’ 7-3 loss to the Tigers on Tuesday.

The left-hander hasn’t had quite the same success in June as he did in May. In three starts this month, Falter has a 5.14 ERA (8er/14.0ip).

Falter finished second among MLB starting pitchers with a sparkling 0.76 ERA (3er/35.2ip) across six May starts, which were tied for the second-most during the month.

Falter faced the Rangers once in his career and took the loss after allowing two runs in 5.1 innings.

RHP Jack Leiter (4-4, 4.40 ERA) Will Start For the Rangers

Leiter was roughed up for the second-straight start his last time out against the Royals, when he allowed six runs and three homers in 5.2 innings.

Leiter, who has allowed 10 runs in 9.2 innings over his last two starts, had a 3.48 ERA through his first 10 outings of the season.

Opponents this season have hit only .216 with a .696 OPS against him after batting .297 with a .901 OPS in his first big-league season last year.

This will be his first appearance against the Pirates.

Rangers Hitters vs. Falter

Corey Seager: 2 for 3
Marcus Semien: 2 for 3
Josh Jung: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Leiter

Tidbits

Mitch Keller became the first Pirates’ starting pitcher to lose 10-straight decisions since Jose DeLeon lost 11 in a row in 1985.
Andrew McCutchen passed Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for 185th place on the all-time hit list with 2,215.
Bailey Falter has won four-straight decisions, a streak that began on May 9 against Atlanta.