Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Falter Make MLB-Best Detroit… Well, Falter?

Published

1 month ago

June 17, 2025

Another strong pitching performance meant no run support from the Pittsburgh Pirates this past Sunday, when they suffered a series-ending loss to the Chicago Cubs 3-2 in 10 innings.

Mitch Keller did all he could, only allowing three hits, two runs, and three strikeouts across six innings.

Yet, the offense, well, did its fun magic trick where they sort of disappear when the pitching does its job.

The first inning is when both teams scored two runs. The Pirates, for the remainder of the game, however, managed to get one hit, and that includes extra innings as well.

After a tough series loss against the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs, ending in walk-off fashion, the Pirates are onto their next jungle animal, this one being the current “King of the Jungle,” the Detroit Tigers.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

It is a summer night in Detroit. Mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds SW at 11 MPH.

LHP Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.36 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

There is no doubting the fact that one of the better pitchers in the National League this season has been none other than… Bailey Falter.

Reported by Pittsburgh Baseball Now’s Head Beat Writer, Danny Demillo,
“Bailey Falter over his last 12 starts since allowing a season-high seven runs against the Yankees on April 4: 5-2, 2.63 ERA (19 ER/65.0 IP). He hasn’t been scored upon in five of those 12 starts. Two runs or fewer in eight of them.”

Falter has simply been dominant, and his recent stats solidify that statement.

The lefty is coming off of a quality start last Wednesday against the Miami Marlins, posting a 5 1/3-innings win while only allowing one run in the process.

However, Falter will face a challenge later today, as the lefty enters the Lions’ Den with hopes of silencing the loud roars of Motown.

RHP Casey Mize (6-2, 2.95 ERA) Will Start For the Tigers

Why are the Tigers the best team in baseball right now? If you guessed underrated players, you would be correct!

Casey Mize has put together an All-Star campaign for the American League team this season and has been better known as the number two pitcher on the best team in baseball.

Yet, in his last three starts, hitters have been hitting the ball at a higher rate off of Mize, with Mize allowing 22 hits and posting a 4.73 ERA.

In his last start, it was an ugly Tiger performance overall, a 10-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, but Mize wasn’t the main issue, as he pitched himself a decent game, allowing eight hits and two runs while striking out seven across 5 1/3 innings.

With runners in scoring position, Mize has held opponents to a career .214/.275/.361 line, an elite stat for the veteran right hander.

Tigers Hitters vs. Falter

Javier Baez: 1 for 1, one home run, two RBI
Gleyber Torres: 2 for 2, two doubles
Zach McKinstry: 0 for 1

Pirates Hitters vs. Mize

Adam Frazier: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 4, one strikeout
Tommy Pham: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 3, one RBI
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one double
Henry Davis: 0 for 1, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

Bailey Falter has a 1.81 ERA (8er/44.2ip) in eight starts since the beginning of May. He’s also won four-straight decisions.
Andrew McCutchen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are in the top 10 in their position groups in the National League All-Star voting.
Konnor Griffin was named South Atlantic League Player of the Week (High-A).