Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Carmen Mlodzinski Replicate Last Start?

Published

1 month ago

May 17, 2025

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 8-4 by the Philadelphia Phillies in the opening game of a weekend series on Friday night.

Pittsburgh built a three-run lead thanks to Alexander Canario’s three-run home run, but the Phillies responded with seven unanswered runs before a Jared Triolo bases loaded walk in the ninth.

The Pirates (15-30) will look to even the series against the Phillies (26-18) on Saturday night.

First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Sunshine and temperatures around 80 degrees for first pitch with winds W at 9-10 mph.

RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-3, 5.20 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Mlodzinski had the best start of his career his last time out, when he blanked the Braves across 5.2 innings at PNC Park.

The right-hander has given up two runs or fewer in three-straight starts and has a 2.51 ERA (4er/14.1ip) over that span.

Through his first five starts of the season, Mlodzinski posted a 6.95 ERA (17er/22.0ip).

In five-career appearances against the Phillies, all of which had been in relief, Mlodzinski is 1-0 with 1.93 ERA.

RHP Zack Wheeler (4-1, 2.95 ERA) Will Start for the Phillies

Wheeler is fresh off a 7.0-shutout innings performance against Cleveland in his last start. He only allowed three hits and struck out eight batters.

Since allowing a combined nine runs in back-to-back starts in April, Wheeler has a 2.14 ERA (8er/33.2ip) with 46 strikeouts and a .182 batting average against over his last five starts.

Wheeler ranks second in baseball with 74 strikeouts, fifth with a 0.91 WHIP and ninth in the National League in ERA.

In eight starts against the Pirates, Wheeler has gone 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA.

Phillies Hitters vs. Mlodzinski

Alec Bohm: 1 for 3, one RBI
Nick Castellanos: 1 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Wheeler

Andrew McCutchen: 4 for 20, one double, one home run, three RBI, two walks, strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 5 for 11, one home run, two RBI, four walks, two strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 10, five strikeouts
Adam Frazier: 1 for 9, one home run, two RBI, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 1 for 6, one double, one RBI, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 5, one walk, four strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 4, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

In 11 games in May, Alexander Canario is batting .342 with a .957 OPS, two doubles, two home runs and five RBI.
Carmen Mlodzinski has a 0.00 ERA through the first two innings this season (0er/16.0er) but a 9.30 ERA in innings three through five (21er/20.1ip).
The Pirates haven’t won a series in Philadelphia since taking three of four games in 2017.