Pirates

Pirates Preview: The Starting Pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski Experiment Begins

Published

2 weeks ago

March 31, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates relif pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, June 16, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

For the third time in four games to begin the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates were walked-off by the Miami Marlins for a 3-2 loss on Sunday afternoon.

David Bednar took his second loss of the season after allowing the winning run to score from third base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning.

After an ugly start to the season, the Pirates will look to rebound against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday night.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the upper-70s for first pitch. Winds WSW at 7-9 mph.

RHP Carmen Mlodzinski Will Start for the Pirates

Mlodzinski will make the start for the Pirates after spending the last two seasons as a relief pitcher.

Last season, the right-hander went 5-5 with a 3.38 ERA across 40 appearances. He struck out 46 batters, walked 19 and held opponents to a .223 average/.612 OPS in 51.2 innings.

Mlodzinski was stretched out as a starter this spring, where he posted a 3.72 ERA and struck out eight in 9.2 innings pitched.

He’s faced the Rays one previous time in his career and allowed one run on four hits in 1.2 innings.

RHP Drew Rasmussen Will Start for the Rays

Rasmussen has bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen in his career but owns a 2.72 ERA in 72 appearances/50 starts since joining the Rays midseason in 2021.

Elbow surgery limited Rasmussen to 16 appearances/four starts with Tampa last season. He went 0-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.

It was a strong spring for the right-hander. In three starts, Rasmussen allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in 10.2 innings.

In five prior matchups (all in relief) against the Pirates, Rasmussen has allowed three runs in 7.1 innings.

Rays Hitters vs. Mlodzinski

Christopher Morel: 0 for 2, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Rasmussen

Adam Frazier: 5 for 10, one double, four RBIs, one walk
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 5

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen hit a home run for the Pirates in Sunday’s loss. It was the 800th extra-base hit in his career, which is third among active players. Only Freddie Freeman (885) and Paul Goldschmidt (833) have more.
McCutchen scored his 936th run in a Pirates’ uniform on the blast. That ties Arky Vaughan for 10th most in franchise history.
Through four games, the Pirates have a 2.42 ERA from their starting rotation. That’s the third-best mark in the National League and the ninth-best in MLB.