Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Complete Sweep Against Astros?

Published

4 months ago

July 31, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Houston Astros 6-2 on Tuesday, giving them back-to-back wins to start the series and a three-game winning streak.

Bailey Falter made his first start off the injured list and pitched well. Michael A. Taylor homered for the second-straight game while Connor Joe turned in a three-hit performance?

The Pirates (55-52) will try and complete the sweep over the Astros (55-52) in the series finale on Wednesday night.

First pitch is set for 8:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Minute Made Park has a retractable roof, so weather won’t factor into this series.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Jake Woodford (0-2, 10.80 ERA)

Woodford has his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and will make his Pirates’ debut again Houston.

The 27-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates on June 10 and went 1-2 with a 2.29 ERA across seven starts with Indianapolis.

Woodford made two starts with the Chicago White Sox earlier in the season and allowed 10 runs on 15 hits in 8.1 innings. In parts of five seasons in the major leagues, he is 10-9 with a 4.57 ERA across 82 appearances/20 starts.

The right-hander faced the Astros one other time in his career and allowed four runs in 2.1 innings pitched.

The Houston Astros Will Send Out LHP Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.43)

Valdez, an All-Star in both 2022-23, is having another strong season for the Astros.

Since the start of June, the left-hander has shaved nearly a full point off his ERA after going 6-2 with a 2.73 ERA in his last 10 starts. In his most recent outing, he shutout the Los Angeles Dodgers across 6.1 innings.

Valdez’s pitch mix is led by a sinker, which he throws half the time. He also features a curveball and changeup and will mix in an occasional slider to keep hitters guessing.

In two previous matchups with the Pirates, Valdez is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA.

Astros Hitters vs. Woodford

Victor Caratini: 1 for 5
Mauricio Dubón: 0 for 4
Alex Bregman: 1 for 2

Pirates Hitters vs. Valdez

Yasmani Grandal: 2 for 7, one walk
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 5, one double, one RBI
Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 5, one walk, four strikeouts
Connor Joe: 1 for 3, three walks, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 0 for 3

Tidbits

In 17 games in the month of July, Michael A. Taylor is slashing .294/.375/.618. His 10 hits are one shy of the 11 he posted between May and June combined.
Dennis Santana has been charged with one earned run over his last 15.1 innings. He’s struck out 24 batters over that span.
The Pirates are looking for their first sweep over the Astros since 2012.