Pirates

Pirates Preview: Extremely Tough Test For Buccos Against the Rangers

Published

11 months ago

May 22, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (24-22) open up a three-game series against the Texas Rangers (28-17) Monday night.

The Pirates dropped game three to the Arizona Diamondbacks and lost the series by a score of 8-3, after an extremely sloppy game defensively by Pittsburgh.

Roansy Contreras had trouble controlling his fastball, and scrapped by with a no-decision, but something has got to change with Contreras if he plans on lasting in the majors.

First pitch at PNC Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet, or listen to the game on the Pirates radio station, 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Expect partly cloudy skies, with a nice temperature of around 79 degrees at first pitch. There will be a slight wind of 5-6 mph and blow northeast.

The Pirates will send out RHP Luis Ortiz (0-2, 5.63 ERA)

Ortiz has been in a bad spot since getting the call-up on May 9.

Since coming up, Ortiz has pitched a combined eight innings (two starts) with nine runs, five earned runs, five walks, and four strikeouts.

In addition, Ortiz threw 81 pitches (44 for strikes) in his last outing on May 16 against the Detroit Tigers in just three innings pitched.

Ortiz has never faced the Rangers.

The Rangers will send out RHP Dane Dunning (4-0, 1.69 ERA)

Dunning has been absolutely electric for the Rangers in 2023.

In his last seven games, Dunning has pitched a combined 28 innings and allowed 20 hits, seven earned runs, five walks, and struck out 20.

In his last two starts combined, Dunning picked up a victory in each start, pitched 12 innings, allowed 12 hits, three earned runs, walked one, and struck out nine.

The righty offers mainly a four-pitch mix but can throw six.

Dunning offers a sinker (29.1%), cutter (28.3%), slider (19.4%), and a changeup (14.3%). In addition, he has thrown a curveball (5%), and a four-seam (3.9%).

Dunning has faced the Pirates once (one start) and holds a 1-0 record with an ERA of 0.00 in six innings pitched.

Rangers Hitters

No current Ranger has faced Ortiz

Pirates Hitters

Carlos Santana: 1-7 with a double, one walk, and five Ks against Dunning

Tidbits

Tucupita Marcano recorded his first multi-RBI game on Sunday since Aug. 21, 2022, when he did it against the Cincinnati Reds.
Marcano’s two RBIs placed the Pirates in ninth place in the NL in terms of RBI totals for teams. The Pirates currently have driven in 193 runs.
Switch over to the Rangers’ side, and they lead the American League in RBIs with a whopping 287. Adolis Garcia is atop of the American League list with 49 RBIs.