Pirates

Pirates Preview: Chance to Split Series With Atlanta

Published

9 months ago

August 10, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (51-63) dropped another heartbreaker to the Atlanta Braves (71-41) on Wednesday night at PNC Park.

With the game tied 5-5 in the ninth, it looked like the Pirates escaped the inning with the draw still in tact after the umpires ruled Michael Harris II out after an appeal to third base when he broke for home on a potential sacrifice fly to shallow right.

After a replay review, it was determined that Harris did not leave early and the Braves jumped ahead 6-5 and went on to win by that score.

After taking the first game of the series, the Pirates have dropped the last two by a combined three runs.

The conclusion of this four-game series will start at 12:35 and will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Rain is in the forecast all morning in Pittsburgh and there’s a 40% chance of precipitation for first pitch. Winds W at 5-10 mph.

The Pirates will send out LHP Bailey Falter (0-7, 4.87 ERA)

After coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline, Falter made his team debut on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In that game, Falter was the Pirates’ starter and held Milwaukee to one run in 4.0 innings and struck out a pair of batters.

Falter is looking for his first win since Sep. 30 of last year when he tossed six-scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals in D.C.

The left-hander has made two previous starts against the Braves and is 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA (7er/8.1ip).

The Braves will send out RHP Bryce Elder (8-3, 3.43 ERA)

The 24-year-old Elder was one of eight Atlanta Braves named as National League All-Stars this year.

Though Elder’s overall numbers are strong, he has struggled of late. In his last five starts, the right-hander has an ERA of 7.71 and has only gone five innings or more in two of those starts.

This will be the first time in his brief career that Elder has faced the Pirates.

Braves Hitters vs. Falter

Michael Harris II: 2 for 4, one double, one home run, two RBIs
Marcell Ozuna: 2 for 4
Austin Riley: 0 for 4, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Elder

Josh Palacios: 0 for 1

Tidbits

In his last two games, Ke’Bryan Hayes has five hits, two home runs, a double and six RBIs.
Since July 21, a span of 18 games, Bryan Reynolds is hitting .315 (23 for 73) with six home runs and 10 RBIs. He has at least one hit in 14 of those 18 contests.
The Pirates have not lost a series since dropping two out of three against the Los Angeles Angels from July 21-23.