Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Strike Back Against Padres?

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Marco Gonzales throws during the first inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

After a delay of close to three hours, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 6-0 in the opening game of the series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Bailey Falter went two innings before the rain came and knocked him out early. Four relievers combined to allow six runs while the Pirates were unable to push across a run against the Padres’ bullpen.

After a 1-3 start to a crucial homestand, the Pirates (56-56) will look for better results on Wednesday against the Padres (62-52).

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

Weather

Possible early-afternoon showers should give way to cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper-70s for gametime. Winds E-ENE at 7-8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Marco Gonzales (1-1, 3.72 ERA)

Gonzales has made three starts since he was reinstated from the injured list and has had varying levels of success.

On July 12, Gonzales got the win after holding the White Sox to one run in five innings. In his next start, he struggled a bit with efficiency but held the Phillies to two runs in 4.2 innings. In his most recent outing against the Diamondbacks, the left-hander was tagged for four runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.

In three starts prior to going on the IL with a forearm injury, Gonzales had a 2.65 ERA (5er/17ip).

Though he’s a perfect 3-0 against the Diamondbacks in five previous meetings, Gonzales has a 5.71 ERA against them.

The San Diego Padres Will Send Out RHP Michael King (9-6, 3.26 ERA)

King was one of the main pieces of the Juan Soto trade with the Yankees this offseason and has proved to be a strong addition to the Padres.

The right-hander’s strong numbers have been aided by an excellent stretch since the end of May. In 11 starts dating back to May 27, King has a miniscule 2.27 ERA with 77 strikeouts and only two homers against him in 63.1 innings.

King’s changeup is among the best in the league. He distributes the top four pitches in his arsenal — a sinker, change, four-seamer and sweeper — evenly and also has a slider.

This will be King’s first time facing the Pirates.

Padres Hitters vs. Gonzales

Jurickson Profar: 3 for 20, two doubles, two walks, six strikeouts
Xander Bogaerts: 3 for 11, three doubles, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Manny Machado: 4 for 8, two doubles
David Peralta: 2 for 4, one double
Luis Arraez: 0 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Donovan Solano: 2 for 3, one double

Pirates Hitters vs. King

Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 6, two strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 4, one strikeout

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen extended his hitting streak to six games on Tuesday. He’s batting .304 (7 for 23) over that span.
Over his last three starts, opponents are hitting .377 against Marco Gonzales. He held opponents to a .234 batting average through his first three starts of the season.
The Pirates are looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak since May 7-10.