Pirates Preview: Rich Hill Looks to Play Role of Stopper

The Pittsburgh Pirates (41-54) were defeated 10-1 by the Cleveland Guardians (47-48) on Tuesday for their fifth loss in a row of the second half.

In the first two games against Cleveland this series, the Pirates have been outscored 21-1.

The Pirates will look to win their first game in the second half on Wednesday afternoon, with the game being aired on AT&T SportsNet and ESPN+.

Weather

Partly cloudy conditions with temperatures in the mid-to-high 70s expected around first pitch.

The Pirates will send out Rich Hill (7-9, 4.76 ERA)

For the first time in his lengthy career, Hill showed off a splitter in his last start against the San Francisco Giants.

The savvy left-hander turned in a quality start, holding the Giants to three runs across six innings on the mound.

For his career against Cleveland, Hill has made 12 appearances (five starts). In those games, he is 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA and has struck out 31 batters across 28.1 innings pitched.

Hill has struggled in interleague play throughout his career. In 43 appearances, he is 6-10 with a 5.37 ERA.

The Guardians will send out Aaron Civale (3-2, 2.65 ERA)

Civale has anchored the Guardians rotation this year with a 2.65 ERA and a .620 OPS against through his first 10 starts of the season.

The right-hander has only allowed three earned runs across his last three starts, a span of 18.0 innings pitched.

Civale has made two career starts against the Pirates and is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA.

Guardians Hitters vs. Hill

• Jose Ramirez: 6 for 11, two doubles, one home run, three RBIs, one walk, one strikeout
• Amed Roasario: 3 for 10, two doubles, three walks, three strikeouts
• Josh Bell: 3 for 15, one double, one RBI, three strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Civale

• Carlos Santana: 1 for 9, one RBI, two strikeouts

Tidbits

• The Pirates officially signed first-overall pick Paul Skenes om Tuesday night. The deal is worth $9.2M.
• With their loss to the Guardians on Tuesday night, the Pirates fell to 2-12 in the month of July.
• Connor Joe’s solo home run on Tuesday was his first home run since May 30.

Links

Perrotto: Pirates Give Old Familiar Formula Yet Another Shot

Paul Skenes: High-Flying Pilot, Down-to-Earth Player

Perrotto: Pirates Just Keep Putting on That Happy Face

43-Year-Old Rich Hill Not Stuck in His Ways (+)

Pirates Officially Add Three Rookies to Big League Roster

Perrotto: Five Reasons to Watch Pittsburgh Pirates in Second Half

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