Pirates

Pirates Preview: What Will Response Be After Tough Loss to Braves?

Published

9 months ago

August 9, 2023

On Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates (51-62) looked primed to take the first two games of the four-game series against the Atlanta Braves (70-41).

However, the Braves rallied for three runs against All-Star closer David Bednar in the top of the ninth inning and pulled off a comeback win over the Pirates, winning 8-6.

In the loss, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Alfonso Rivas, Josh Palacios and Bryan Reynolds all homered, accounting for all six runs.

Now, the Pirates will try and rebound to clinch at least a series split in the third game of the series.

Wednesday’s game will begin at 7:05 ET and will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

After sunshine throughout most of the day, it looks like cloudy conditions for first pitch with temperatures around 80 degrees. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

The Pirates will send out RHP Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.69 ERA)

Despite his 2-1 record, Priester hasn’t been able to find his footing as a first-time big leaguer just yet.

The right-hander has allowed at least three runs in each of his first four starts with the Pirates and has issued 14 free passes while yielding five home runs in only 19.2 innings.

Priester has pitched well early in games, posting a 2.25 through the first three innings. In the middle innings (4-6), however, he has a 17.61 ERA.

He’s never faced the Braves.

The Braves will send out LHP Max Fried (3-1, 1.69 ERA)

Fried has made one start since coming off of the injured list and was dominant against the Chicago Cubs. The left-hander held Chicago scoreless on only three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings on Friday.

The 29-year-old hasn’t allowed an earned run in four of his six starts this season and has only allowed more than one run one time — 5er/6.0ip on May 5 against the Baltimore Orioles.

Fried has faced the Pirates five previous times and is 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA against them. He’s struggled at PNC Park in his career; 1-1 with a 6.35 in three starts in Pittsburgh.

Braves Hitters vs. Priester

Pirates Hitters vs. Fried

Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 15, two walks, six strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 5 for 14, one double, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 9, one strikeout
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Jason Delay: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Connor Joe, 1 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Palacios and Reynolds hit back-to-back homers, making it 10 times the Pirates have done that this season. That’s the first time since 2003 they’ve gone back-to-back that many times. Before that, the Pirates hadn’t done it since 1971.
Bednar has now blown two of his last three save opportunities after converting 22 of his first 23 chances to begin the season.
Since joining the Pirates, Rivas has hit .316 with a 1.199 OPS through his first six games. Four of his six hits have gone for extra-bases (one double, one triple and two homers).