Pirates Preview: Weekend Series Against Rays Starts Friday Night

Danny Demilio |

Jun 21, 2024

PNC PARK, Pittsburgh Pirates — A statue honoring Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner, a member of the first class of inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, stands outside PNC Park, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The Pirates' home opener is April 12, 2022 against the Chicago Cubs. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Pittsburgh Pirates had an off day on Thursday after winning a 1-0 rubber game against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon.

Mitch Keller threw seven terrific innings and Bryan Reynolds broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the eighth inning.

The Pirates (36-38) will be back in action at PNC Park on Friday night for the start of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (36-39).

First pitch is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Sunny skies and temperatures in the 90’s at first pitch. Winds W-NW at 7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-2, 4.42 ERA)

This will be the third time this season that Mlodzinski is the first one out in a bullpen game.

Mlodzinski has done well the other two times he’s started a game this season. He totaled 2.2 innings without allowing a run.

The right-hander has pitched well of late, regardless of his role. He has a 0.84 ERA (1er/10.2ip) in the month of June.

This will be his first time facing the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays Will Send Out RHP Ryan Pepiot (4-4, 4.57 ERA)

Pepiot was acquired by the Rays from the Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow trade during the offseason.

The 26-year-old was off to a hot start but has scuffled of late. In six starts since May 5, Pepiot is 1-2 with a 6.35 ERA and has allowed seven home runs in 28.1 innings.

Though he’s struggled down the stretch, Pepiot has held opposing batters to a .214 batting average and owns a .200 batting average against in his career.

Pepiot made his MLB debut against the Pirates in 2022 and completed three-scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit but walked five batters and struck out three.

Rays Hitters vs. Mlodzinski

Ben Rortvedt: 0 for 1, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Pepiot

Connor Joe: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 2, one double, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

Bryan Reynolds’ now 17-game hitting streak ties the longest streak of his career. He also had a hit in 17 consecutive games in his rookie season in 2019.
Colin Holderman’s 0.70 ERA is the second-lowest in baseball amongst pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched. He trails only the Diamondbacks’ Justin Martinez (0.67).
The Pirates have won each of their last four home series. Starting with the Braves from May 24-26, the Pirates have taken two of three from Atlanta, the Dodgers, Twins and Reds.