Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Ortiz Get Back on Track Tuesday Night?

Published

1 year ago

July 4, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (39-45) fell in game one on Monday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers (47-37), after their offense couldn’t muster much, and Mitch Keller had an off night.

After Keller’s rough start and unlucky bounces, the Pirates allowed five runs to the Dodgers and fell in Los Angeles 5-2.

On a bright note, Nick Gonzales continued to show good development, as he went 2-4 at the plate and even got and nearly got his first stolen base.

Game two between the Pirates and Dodgers will be at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch at 9:10 Eastern. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet, or listen to the game on 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

There shouldn’t be a cloud in the sky for game one in Los Angeles. Temperatures are supposed to range from 63-71 degrees, with a slight wind of four mph blowing southwest.

The Pirates will send out RHP Luis Ortiz (2-3, 4.11 ERA)

Ortiz struggled in his last outing on June 29 against the San Diego Padres. In 4.2 innings pitched, Ortiz allowed six hits, four earned runs, three walks, and struck out none.

Ortiz allowed a lot of hard contact on the majority of the 20 balls put into play. On average, Ortiz allowed an exit velocity of 94.1 mph, with his sinker averaging nearly 98 mph in EV.

Ortiz strayed away from the changeup usage that we saw a few starts ago, which may have been an issue for him, or maybe he just wasn’t feeling that pitch in particular.

Ortiz has never faced the Dodgers

The Dodgers will send out RHP Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 2.65 ERA)

Sheehan will be making his third start in the major league level, and if his first three are any indication of how he is, then the Pirates may be in trouble.

Sheehan has gone six innings in two of his three starts and even pitched a six-inning shutout in his major league debut against the Giants.

Sheehan leans on his four-seam HEAVY with a 66.3% usage so far. In addition, Sheehan uses a slider (22.7%) and a changeup (11%).

Sheehan has never faced the Pirates.

Dodgers Hitters vs. Ortiz

No Dodgers have faced Ortiz

Pirates Hitters vs. Sheehan

No Pirates have faced Sheehan

Tidbits

The Pirates and Cubs lost on Tuesday night, but the Pirates moved back to six games out of first place in the N.L. Central.
Gonzales, in his last seven games, is slashing .348/.360/.739.
In his nine appearances in the major leagues this year, Yerry De Los Santos has allowed no runs in eight of those games and didn’t allow a hit in five.