Pirates Preview: Jared Jones Takes the Mound in Home Opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates (6-1) are coming back to PNC Park for their home opener tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball.

The Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals on Thursday night to take the three-game series. Martín Pérez earned his first win in the black and gold to celebrate his 33rd birthday. Pittsburgh scored four runs in the first inning, Connor Joe homered in the fifth and David Bednar earned his first save of the season.

Now, Jared Jones and the Pirates will welcome the Baltimore Orioles to the banks of the overflowed Allegheny River for their home opener.

First pitch is set for 4:12 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

If you’re heading to the ballpark, you probably want to bring a jacket. Cloudy skies and temperatures in the low-40s for gametime. Winds NW at 15 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Jared Jones (1-0, 4.76 ERA)

Don’t be fooled by his ERA, Jones was brilliant in his MLB debut on Saturday agaisnt the Miami Marlins.

The 22-year-old finished with 10 strikeouts which were tied for the second-most in franchise history for a starting pitcher in his debut. He induced 22 swings and misses, the most for a Pirates’ pitcher in a game since 2008.

The Pirates went on to win the game 9-3, and Jones was the pitcher of record, giving him his first big-league win in his first outing.

The Baltimore Orioles Will Send Out RHP Grayson Rodriguez (1-0, 1.50 ERA)

Rodriguez was dominant in his first start of the season against the Los Angeles Angels. He held the Halos to one run on four hits in six innings and struck out nine batters.

Rodriguez, the Orioles’ first-round draft pick in 2018, made his debut last season. The 24-year-old finished his debut season 7-4 with a 4.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 122 innings across 23 starts.

This will be his first start against Pittsburgh.

Orioles Hitters vs. Jones

• N/A

Pirates Hitters vs. Rodriguez

• N/A

Tidbits

• Henry Davis drove in a run for the Pirates against the Nats with a sacrifice fly. He’s the 13th Pirate to record an RBI this season, marking the seventh time the Pirates have had that many in their first seven games since 1920 and the first time since 1996.
• With David Bednar’s save, the Pirates have five different relievers with a save to begin the year.
• Andrew McCutchen returns to Pittsburgh one homer shy of 300 in his career. Bryan Reynolds needs one more round-tripper for 100.

Links

Perrotto: Should Pirates Fans Get Too Excited About ‘Jared Day?’

10 Years Ago: Neil Walker Gives Pirates Memorable Opener

Pirates Prospect Watch: Indianapolis Infielders Dominate

Early Spark, Pérez’s Strong Outing Enough to Lift Pirates Over Nationals 7-4

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