Pirates

Pirates Preview: Labor Day Matchup Against Cubs

Published

3 months ago

September 2, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were the victim of a perfect game bid through six innings and dropped the rubber match against the Cleveland Guardians by a final score of 6-1.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa broke up Alex Cobb’s bid at perfection with a single to begin the seventh and scored the Pirates’ lone run again. Mitch Keller had another shaky start for Pittsburgh.

Up next, the Pirates (63-73) head to Wrigley Field for the start of a three-game series against the Cubs (71-66) on Monday, and a Happy Labor Day to all!

First pitch is set for 7:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

A cool night with temperatures around 70 degrees and clear skies for the start of the game. Winds NE at 7-8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Jared Jones (5-7, 3.88 ERA)

Jones made his return from the injured list against the Cubs last week and struggled. After throwing three-scoreless innings to begin his outing, Jones allowed five runs and a pair of homers in the fourth.

The rookie right-hander had been out of action since he was placed on the 15-day injured list with a lat strain on the Fourth of July.

Jones essentially operates as a two-pitch pitcher, with a four-seam fastball and slider. He also throws a curveball and slider, which combined make up 14% of his offerings.

He’s faced the Cubs three times already this season and is 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA.

The Chicago Cubs Will Send Out RHP Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.85 ERA)

Taillon was on the mound for the Cubs in their 18-8 drubbing of the Pirates at PNC Park last week. He allowed for runs across 6.2 innings.

The former Pirates’ pitcher has allowed at least four runs in each of his last four starts. He has a 6.75 ERA over that stretch while opponents have posted a .902 OPS against him.

Taillon’s best pitch is his fastball, which he uses 30% of the time. It’s one of six pitches he throws.

The right-hander has faced Pittsburgh four times and is 2-2 with a 5.96 ERA.

Cubs Hitters vs. Jones

Ian Happ: 3 for 9, one double, one home run, one RBI, three strikeouts
Cody Bellinger: 3 for 8, two doubles, one home run, two RBIs
Miguel Amaya: 2 for 7, one RBI
Michael Busch: 2 for 6, two doubles, four strikeouts
Mike Tauchman: 1 for 6, two walks, two strikeouts
Nick Hoerner: 2 for 5, one double, one RBI
Seiya Suzuki: 2 for 4, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, one strikeout
Pete Crow-Armstrong: 0 for 4, one walk, two strikeouts
Dansby Swanson: 1 for 2, one home run, two RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Taillon

Yasmani Grandal: 2 for 17, one double, one RBI, one walk, five strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 15, one walk, six strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 2 for 14, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 4 for 12, one double, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 8, four strikeouts
Bryan De La Cruz: 2 for 7, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 6, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 3 for 5, one triple, one RBI
Nick Gonzales: 2 for 5
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 5
Connor Joe: 0 for 4, one walk, three strikeouts

Tidbits

After he was charged with three earned runs in 5.1 innings on Sunday, Mitch Keller has a 7.46 ERA over his last five starts.
Oneil Cruz went hitless in four at-bats and didn’t reach base. His 22-game on-base streak and 11-game hit streak both came to an end.
Jared Jones crossed 100 strikeouts in his last start. He and Paul Skenes became the second Pirates’ rookie duo to each have 100-plus strikeouts in the same season, joining Steve Cooke (132) and Paul Wagner (114) in 1993.