Pirates

Pirates Preview: Mlodzinski Set to Make First Start in Majors

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (40-49) wasted Mitch Keller’s seven innings of dominance Saturday evening, as they lost in extra-innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks (52-38).

Keller had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning, before Ketel Marte hit a two-out single. Keller got out of it, but Colin Holderman let off a lead-off solo shot in the eighth and the Pirates forced it into extras.

Jared Triolo made it 2-1 on an RBI single, but David Bednar looked a little rough in the bottom of the tenth and allowed a bases loaded single to Corbin Carroll to end the game on a score of 3-2.

Game three between between the Pirates and Diamondbacks will be at Chase Field, with first pitch at 4:10 Eastern. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet, or listen to the game on 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Chase Field has a roof, so no worries on the weather for the next few games.

The Pirates will send out RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1, 2.61 ERA)

This start marks Mlodzinski’s first major league start, and his first start since Sept. 16 with the Altoona Curve where he picked up the win in five innings pitched.

Mlodzinski has recently made the transition from being a starter, to the bullpen, and has seen some success since going there.

Mlodzinski has made five straight appearances out of the pen without giving up a run, and has allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out five.

Mlodzinski has primarily stuck with a three-pitch mix with his four-seam (57.3%), sweeper (24%), and changeup (14.7%). In addition, he throws a cutter (3.3%).

Mlodzinski has never faced the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks will send out RHP Zach Davies (1-4, 6.52 ERA)

Davies has had an extremely rough go of things in 2023. Sandwiched in between two bad starts, Davies pitched a gem against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 28.

In seven innings pitched, Davies allowed two hits, no earned runs, walked two, and struck out three.

On the other side of the coin, Davies in his two other starts in that three-game span has allowed ten earned runs on 11 hits, six walks, and eight strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched.

Davies uses a five-pitch mix with a sinker (36.1%), changeup (26.6%), four-seam (18.6%), cutter (11%), and the occasional curveball (7.4%).

Davies has faced the Pirates 19 times (19 starts) and holds a 6-6 record with an ERA of 4.64 in 97 innings pitched.

Diamondbacks vs. Mlodzinski

No current Diamondback has faced Mlodzinski

Pirates Hitters vs. Davies

Bryan Reynolds: 9-25 with three doubles and one homer
Connor Joe: 0-5

Tidbits

The last time Keller pitched deep into a start with a no-hitter was back in 2020 against the St. Louis Cardinals where he pitched six full innings and then was pulled in the seventh.
Jared Triolo managed to get his fourth RBI in Saturday’s loss for the Pirates.
David Bednar recorded his first ever error in the majors. The last time Bednar had an error was back in 2018 for Lake Elisnore (San Diego’s High-A club).