Pirates
Pirates Daily: Can the Pirates Squeak Out One Game of Doubleheader?
Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Pittsburgh Pirates (50-84) finish their three-game series against the New York Mets (85-51) at PNC Park with a day-night doubleheader with the first game starting at 12:35 p.m. and the finale starting at 6:35 p.m.
The Pirates are coming off of a dominating performance against the Mets on Tuesday night with an 8-2 victory. The Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak and the Mets’ losing streak reached three games.
The games will be aired on AT&T Sportsnet PIT and can be heard on 93.7 The Fan
Starters
Duane Underwood Jr. (1-5 4.60 ERA) will his first start since 2018 in the game. That was the only start of his major league career and he went four innings, giving up one earned run on two hits.
Facing Underwood will be Chris Bassitt (12-7, 3.32 ERA). In his last seven games, Bassitt has a record of 5-0 with an ERA of 2.38 in 45.1 innings pitched.
The Pirates have yet to announce a starter for the nightcap of the doubleheader.
The Mets will send out Jacob deGrom (4-1, 1.98 ERA). Since returning from a right scapula injury on Aug. 2, deGrom has been electric. In deGrom’s four starts, he has gone at least six innings and hasn’t given up more than three earned runs.
Betting Odds
In game one of the doubleheader, the Mets are strong -275 favorites on the moneyline with the Pirates listed at +220. On the runline, the Mets are -1.5 (-130) and the Pirates are +1.5 (+110). The over/under is 5.5 (O -120, U -100).
There are no betting odds for the finale of the doubleheader as of yet.
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Who’s Hot/Who’s Not
Who’s Hot: Have yourself a night Oneil Cruz! The Pirates rookie shortstop blasted a home run over the right-field stands and into the Allegheny River while going 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Cruz is slashing .268/.328/.589 in his last 56 at-bats.
Who’s Not: Robert Stephenson had a rough night on Tuesday. The right-handed reliever pitched just 0.2 innings and gave up two earned runs.
Tidbits:
- Rodolfo Castro’s home run Tuesday night marked his ninth extra-base hit since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Aug. 9, the most by a Pittsburgh Pirates player in that span.
- Cruz has five balls hit at 115.0 mph or more. The only other major league players with more this season are the New York Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton (13) and Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr (five).
- Mitch Keller for the first time this season, exited a start with no runs given up Tuesday. The last time he did that was May 4, 2021 when he pitched 5.1 innings against the Padres.
Links
Perrotto: Five More Who Should Be in Pittsburgh Pirates’ Hall of Fame (+)
Chase De Jong Embracing New Role — And Excelling (+)
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