Pirates

Pirates Preview: Mother’s Day Matinee Against Reigning Cy Young Winner

Published

1 month ago

May 11, 2025

Danny Demilio

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 3-2 by the Atlanta Braves in 11 innings at PNC Park on Saturday.

Matt Gorski tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, but the Pirates came up empty in extras while Atlanta scored on Chase Shugart’s wild pitch in the 11th.

The Pirates (13-27) will look to take down the Braves (19-20) and earn a series win in the rubber match on Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms!

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Sunny skies and temperatures will hit the upper 70s. Winds NE at 7 mph.

RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-3, 6.16 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Mlodzinski last pitched on Monday against the Cardinals and pitched reasonably well despite allowing a pair of home runs.

In 4.2 innings, the right-hander allowed two runs on four hits in 4.2 innings with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.

Over his last two starts, Mlodzinski has a 4.15 ERA (4er/8.2ip). Through his first five starts of the season, the right-hander had a 6.95 ERA (17er/22.0ip).

Mlodzinski has made six previous appearances (all relief) against the Braves and is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA.

LHP Chris Sale (1-3, 4.07 ERA) Will Start for the Braves

It was a rocky start to the season for the reigning National League Cy Young winner, but Sale has turned things around of late.

Over his last three starts, the veteran left-hander has a 1.45 ERA (3er/18.2ip) and 24 strikeouts. He posted 10 strikeouts in each of his last two starts.

His 56 strikeouts on the season are tied for the fourth-most in the National League and the eighth-most in baseball. The Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore is the only left-handed pitcher in the NL with more (68).

Sale has dominated the Pirates in two previous starts against them. Across 14.0 innings, he’s allowed just one run on seven hits with 15 strikeouts and a record of 1-0.

Braves Hitters vs. Mlodzinski

Matt Olson: 2 for 4, one double, one home run, three RBI, one walk
Marcell Ozuna: 1 for 4, three strikeouts
Ozzie Albies: 1 for 3, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Sale

Tommy Pham: 2 for 8, one double, one walk, four strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 0 for 6, two strikeouts
Adam Frazier: 2 for 4, one RBI, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3
Jared Triolo: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Don Kelly was ejected for the first time (second game) as Pirates’ manager. Third base coach Mike Rabelo served as acting manager in his absence.
Joey Bart set a career-high with four hits in the loss. He also drove in his first run since Apr. 22.
All 21 runs charged to Carmen Mlodzinski this season have come in innings three through five. In those innings, he has an 11.34 ERA (21er/16.2ip). He’s totaled 14.0 innings between the first two frames and has yet to allow a run.