Pirates

Pirates Daily: Can Bucs Inept Offense Capitalize Against Rookie Pitcher?

Published

2 years ago

September 23, 2022

Friday, Sept. 23, the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-95) face the Chicago Cubs (65-85) at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35.

The Pirates’ offense was inept yet again in their 3-2 loss to the Cubs Thursday night in the first game of the four-game series. On the brighter side of things, Mitch Keller pitched a good game and got his ERA down below 4.00, as it now sits at 3.99.

The game will be aired on AT&T Sportsnet PIT and can be heard on 93.7 The Fan

Weather

As the second day of fall rolls in, the Pirates and Cubs will play under the lights with a temperature at 60 degrees for first pitch. There will be a slight wind blowing northwest at 8 mph.

Starters

Bryse Wilson (3-9, 6.07 ERA) will get the nod for the Pirates.

Wilson’s last start took place last Saturday against the Mets and was, at best, average. Wilson went into the sixth inning but gave up four runs in 5.1 innings on four hits and two walks.

The Pirates will have to combat rookie right-hander Javier Assad (1-2, 3.86 ERA).

Assad’s last start on Sunday against the Rockies was disappointing. Assad managed to go just two innings and gave up four earned runs, as well as four walks. In Assad’s 13.1 innings in the majors, he has walked eight batters. Can the Pirates’ hitters be patient?

Betting Odds

There is no clear favorite on the moneyline as the betting opens. The Cubs stand at -110, and the Pirates open at -107. Chicago’s runline of +1.5 can be had at +141 odds, whereas Pittsburgh’s can be had at -171. The O/U opens at 8.5.

Who’s Hot/Who’s Not

Who’s Hot: Bryan Reynolds had an extremely good game during Thursday night’s tilt. Reynolds reached base all five times and went 3 for 3 with two walks and an RBI.

Who’s Not: Jack Suwinski finished Thursday night’s game hitless in four at-bats, and has now gone 6-for-his-last 47 for and is batting .128/.180/.255 in that span.

Tidbits:

Assad will throw three different versions of a fastball with a cutter (31%), sinker (28.9%), and four-seam (22.7%). Assad will also throw a changeup (6.5%), slider (5.6%), and curveball (5.3%) on occasion.
Prior to Thursday’s game, both Oneil Cruz and Rodolfo Castro were tied for third in the National League for most home runs hit in September with six each.
After Thursday’s loss to the Cubs, the Pirates’ record is now 9-76 when scoring less than four runs. The Pirates’ record when scoring 4 or more runs is 46-19. Quite the difference.