Pirates Preview: Shot at Series Split to Cap Off Homestand

The Pittsburgh Pirates (58-72) were defeated in a 10-6 shootout to the Chicago Cubs (67-61) at PNC Park on Saturday night.

After a Ke’Bryan Hayes home run to lead off the first inning, the Pirates couldn’t muster anything else against Jordan Wicks, who was making his major league debut.

Despite a five-run seventh inning in a rally attempt, the Pirates fell short and will now look for a series split on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 ET and will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Temperatures will be in the mid-to-upper 70s with mostly cloudy skies throughout the game. Winds NNE at 5-10 mph.

The Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (1-7, 4.53 ERA)

In his last appearance for the Pirates, Falter threw six innings of relief while allowing only one run on three hits against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. His efforts gave him his first win of the season.

In that game, Falter tied his career high with eight strikeouts and he earned his first Pirates’ win.

Since joining the Pirates at the trade deadline, Falter has a 3.26 ERA (7er/19.1ip) in four appearances, three of which have been starts.

Falter has made four previous appearances (one start) against the Cubs. He’s 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA against them in his career.

The Cubs Will Send Out RHP Javier Assad (2-2, 3.31 ERA)

Assad has made 23 appearances for the Cubs this season with five coming as a starter. Each of his last appearances have been as a starting pitcher.

In those four starts, the right-hander is 1-0 with a miniscule 2.86 ERA (7er/22.0ip) and has help opposing batters to a .220 average against.

On the flip side, Assad has only struck out 13 against seven walks during that span and has surrendered the four home runs.

Assad has made one prior start against the Pirates in his career. He allowed four runs (three earned) in 4.0 innings while allowing four hits, walking three and striking out a pair.

Cubs Hitters vs. Falter

• Dansby Swanson: 3 for 5, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
• Christopher Morel: 2 for 3, one double, one RBI
• Ian Happ: 1 for 3, one double, one RBI
• Patrick Wisdom: 1 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts
• Seiya Suzuki: 0 for 3, one strikeout
• Yan Gomes: 2 for 2, two home runs, two RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Assad

• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
• Connor Joe: 1 for 1, one home run, one RBI
• Jack Suwinski: 1 for 1, one home run, one RBI, one walk

Tidbits

• Falter’s win in his last outing was his first since Sep. 30 of last season while with the Philadelphia Phillies.
• With two more hits on Saturday night, Ke’Bryan Hayes is batting .306 (26 for 85) and has raised his season average from .248 to start the month to .264. His season OPS has climbed all the way to .734.
• On Saturday, the Pirates welcomed four former players into their Hall of Fame — Roy Face, Bob Friend, Dick Groat and Kent Tekulve.

Links

‘Why Pitch Scared?,’ Breaking Down Paul Skenes’ Double-A Debut

World Series Rings Abound at Pirates’ Hall of Fame Ceremony

Perrotto: On Brink of 2,000th Game, Andrew McCutchen Looks for More

This Might Not Have Happened to the Mitch Keller of Old

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