Pirates

Pirates Preview: Homestand Continues With Taillon and Cubs

Published

1 month ago

August 26, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates capped off a series win over the Cincinnati Reds in walk-off fashion on Sunday afternoon.

Yasmani Grandal was the hero with a two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth after Luis Ortiz tossed six-scoreless innings in the start for Pittsburgh.

The seven-game homestand continues for the Pirates (62-68) with the Chicago Cubs (65-66) coming to PNC Park to start a three-game series on Monday night.

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

Weather

Partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower-80s throughout the game with winds blowing N-NE at 5-6 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (11-7, 3.76 ERA)

Keller’s last start against the Rangers was one of his best of the season. The right-hander blanked Texas in seven innings pitched and matched a season-high with nine strikeouts.

It was a nice bounce-back outing for Keller, who had allowed 15 runs in nine innings in his two prior starts.

Keller has been fantastic at PNC Park this season, pitching to a 2.58 ERA across 11 starts. That’s the fourth-best home ERA among National League starting pitchers.

He faced the Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 19 and got the win after allowing two runs in six innings. In his career against the Cubs, Keller is 5-4 with a 4.78 ERA.

The Chicago Cubs Will Send Out RHP Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.77 ERA)

It’s been a struggle for Taillon of late. Over his last three starts, Taillon has allowed 13 runs in 16 innings (7.31 ERA) with four home runs against him.

Through his start on July 23, Taillon had a sub-3.00 ERA but the right-hander has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts after only doing so once through his first 17 on the season.

Taillon’s deep arsenal is led by a good four-seamer. He also throws a cutter, sweeper, curveball, sinker and changeup.

Taillon was Keller’s mound opponent when the two teams met back in May. He allowed three runs in 4.2 innings and took the loss. In his career against his former team, Taillon is 1-2 with a 6.19 in three starts.

Cubs Hitters vs. Keller

Ian Happ: 9 for 25, two doubles, three home runs, seven RBIs, five walks, six strikeouts
Dansby Swanson: 4 for 13, three doubles, three RBIs, one walk, five strikeouts
Mike Tauchman: 2 for 12, one triple, one RBI, one strikeout
Cody Bellinger: 4 for 11, three doubles, two strikeouts
Seiya Suzuki: 4 for 7, one double, two RBIs, one walk
Nico Hoerner: 1 for 7, one double, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout
Michael Busch: 0 for 5, four strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Taillon

Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 15, one walk, six strikeouts
Yasmani Grandal: 1 for 14, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 11, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 9, one double, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 5, two strikeouts
Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Connor Joe: 0 for 4, one walk, three strikeouts

Tidbits

Entering Sunday’s game, the Pirates wee just 4-52 when trailing after eight innings. It marked the Pirates seventh walk-off win of the season.
Oneil Cruz had a pair of his and extended his on-base streak to 17 games, the second-longest streak by a Pirates’ player this season behind Bryan Reynolds (25 games).
Aroldis Chapman won his fourth-straight decision after throwing a scoreless top of the ninth. Since July 11, the veteran lefty has a 1.06 ERA and has struck out 27 batters in 17 innings.