Pirates Preview: Jared Jones and Co. Face Ex-Bucco Jose Quintana

The Pittsburgh Pirates jumped out to a three-run lead but ultimately fell 6-3 to the New York Mets in the opening game of the series on Monday night.

The Mets scored six unanswered runs, three of which came in the eighth against Aroldis Chapman, who took his first loss of the season.

The Pirates will look to put a tough loss behind them and have a chance to even the series on Tuesday night.

First pitch is set for 7:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

It will be another beautiful night for baseball with clear skies and temperatures in the 60s. Winds N-NNW at 7-8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Jared Jones (1-2, 4.00 ERA)

Jones delivered another quality start for the Pirates his last time out against the Philadelphia Phillies but took the loss.

The rookie right-hander allowed three runs on six hits (two home runs) and struck out eight batters in 6.1 innings. Jones has surrendered four home runs over his last two starts.

Jones has been able to offset some home run woes by limiting free passes and racking up strikeouts. He ranks second in baseball with a 12.50 strikeout to walk ratio.

Of his four starts to begin his career, this will be his third time facing a team from the National League East, joining the Phillies and Miami Marlins.

The New York Mets Will Send Out LHP José Quintana (1-1, 3.45 ERA)

Quintana, who made 20 starts for the Pirates in 2022, will get a chance to face his former team.

He enters his start against Pittsburgh after receiving his first win of the year in his last outing against the Atlanta Braves. Quintana allowed three runs across 5.1 innings pitched en route to a whopping 16-4 Mets’ win.

Though he has yet to complete six-full innings in any of his first three starts of the season Quintana has been able to navigate some traffic and generate solid results.

In his career against the Pirates, Quintana is 5-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 14 starts.

Mets Hitters vs. Jones

• N/A

Pirates Hitters vs. Quintana

• Andrew McCutchen: 7 for 24, one double, one home run, three RBIs, three walks, eight strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 16, one double, two RBIs, three strikeouts
• Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 8, five strikeouts
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 5
• Connor Joe: 1 for 5, one walk
• Oneil Cruz: 0 for 4, one RBI, one strikeout
• Edward Olivares: 1 for 3

Tidbits

• Jared Jones leads all rookie pitchers with 25 strikeouts on the season.
• Oneil Cruz has one hit in his last 18 at-bats and has struck out 10 times during that stretch.
• Pirates’ catchers have yet to throw out an attempting base stealer so far this season (13 stolen bases).

Links

Perrotto: Looking at Pirates’ Options to Replace Marco Gonzales

Pirates Blow Lead, Fall 6-3 to Mets on Jackie Robinson Day

Pirates Power Rankings: Buccos Continue to Gain Steam

Perrotto: Hold off on Andrew McCutchen’s Retirement Ceremony

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