Pirates

Pirates Preview: Quick Stop in Lone Star State

Published

2 months ago

August 19, 2024

After winning the first two games of the series, the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the finale against the Seattle Mariners 10-3 on Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

Jake Woodford had his first poor start with the Pirates and took the loss. Joey Bart connected on a two-run homer and Oneil Cruz finished with two hits.

After a three-game series at home, the Pirates (58-65) will hit the road for a quick three-game set against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers (57-68).

First pitch is set for 8:05 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Globe Life Field is protected by a roof so weather won’t be a factor.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Luis Ortiz (5-3, 3.41 ERA)

Though he took the loss, Ortiz got back on track in his last start against the Padres. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits in five innings.

In his three starts before his most recent, Ortiz had combined to allow 13 runs across 16.1 innings (7.16 ERA) with home runs being a big problem. The 25-year-old had only allowed three homers across his first 73.2 innings but had yielded seven in his last 21.1 innings pitched.

Ortiz primarily relies on a four-pitch with his slider used most often. He’ll also use a four-seam fastball, sinker and cutter.

Ortiz faced the Rangers last May and pitched well. He allowed two runs in 7.2 innings and earned his first win of the season.

The Texas Rangers Will Send Out RHP Dane Dunning

Dunning has bounced between the Rangers’ starting rotation and bullpen this season. Monday will mark his 14th star and 22nd appearance overall.

His last appearance was as a starting pitcher, when he allowed four runs in five innings and struck out three against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The right-hander relies primarily on his sinker, slider, cutter and changeup. He could also mix in a few curveballs and four-seam fastballs.

Dunning has pitched extremely well against the Pirates in his career. In 11.2 innings, he’s only allowed one run.

Rangers Hitters vs. Ortiz

Marcus Semien: 1 for 4, one RBI
Leody Taveras: 2 for 3
Josh Jung: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Nathaniel Lowe: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Adolis García: 0 for 3
Jonah Heim: 0 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Dunning

Bryan Reynolds: 0 for 5, one walk
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 4, one double, one walk
Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 4, one walk
Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 4
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 3
Connor Joe: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

Joey Bart’s home run on Sunday was the 12th of his career, giving him a career-high. He had 11 home runs in his career entering the season, all of which came in 2022 with the Giants.
Jake Woodford walked his first batter with the Pirates in Sunday’s loss. His 0.48 walks per nine innings is the fifth-best mark in baseball since his team debut on July 31.
This will be the first time the Pirates have played at Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020. The last time they were in Texas, Pittsburgh took both games of a two-game series in 2019.