Pirates Preview: What’s Next After Oviedo’s Complete Game Shutout?

Johan Oviedo threw a complete game shutout for the Pittsburgh Pirates (59-73) in their 5-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals (41-92) on Monday night.

It took Oviedo a career-high 112 pitches in his first-career complete game while holding the Royals to only two hits and a pair of walks.

In the win, Ke’Bryan Hayes went 4 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a walk, giving him his second 4+ hit game of the season.

The Pirates have a chance to earn a series win over Kansas City on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 8:10 ET and will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Sunny skies and temperatures in the lower-80s for first pitch. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Colin Selby (1-0, 5.91 ERA)

This will be the second time in the last four games the Selby has been used at the beginning of the game for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, the right-hander tossed two perfect innings in what ended up being a 10-6 loss in his first-career start.

Over his last four appearances, Selby has allowed only one run in 5.2 innings pitched while striking out nine batters.

He’s never faced the Royals in his career.

The Kansas City Royals Will Send Out LHP Cole Ragans (5-4, 3.66 ERA)

Ragans was acquired from the Texas Rangers earlier this year in a trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers.

Since being acquired by Kansas City, Ragans has been brilliant. In six starts with the Royals, the left-hander is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA (8er/34.2ip) and has struck out 47 batters against only 10 walks.

In his last start against the Oakland A’s Ragans tossed six-shutout innings, allowed only two hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out 11.

Ragans has never faced the Pirates. He’s pitched in 10 interleague games (three starts) and is 3-1 with a 5.19 ERA.

Royals Hitters vs. Selby

• N/A

Pirates Hitters vs. Ragans

• N/A

Tidbits

• Oviedo became the second Pirates’ pitcher this season to pitch a complete game shutout. Mitch Keller accomplished the feat on May 8 against the Colorado Rockies.
• Since 2000, Oviedo is the fifth Pirates’ pitcher to allow two or fewer hits in a complete game shutout joining Jameson Taillon (2018), A.J. Burnett (2012), Jeff Karstens (2008) and Todd Ritchie (2000).
• In the month of August, Hayes is slashing .323/.366/.570 with six doubles, one triple, five home runs and 18 RBIs in 23 games.

Links

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Paul Skenes’ Past Year: Staying Grounded Despite Meteoric Rise

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Pirates GM Ben Cherington Gives Update on Henry Davis

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