Pirates Preview: Final Road Trip of 2023 Begins at Wrigley Field

The Pittsburgh Pirates (70-80) were 3-2 winners over the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.

Jason Delay’s RBI double in the seventh lifted the Pirates to the win, and Miguel Andujar homered in the game against his ex-team.

Now, the Pirates start a nine-game road trip, their last one of the year, beginning Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs (78-72)

First pitch is set for 7:40 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Afternoon showers are expected to clear for first pitch with an overcast throughout the game and temperatures in the upper-60s. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (2-8, 4.40 ERA)

Falter has been performing well since joining the Pirates, especially of late. In his last three appearances, a span of 13.1 innings, the left-hander has allowed only two runs (1.35 ERA).

In his last start against the Nationals, Falter went 6.0 innings and allowed only one run on four hits while walking one and striking out four.

With the Pirates this season, Falter has gone 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in eight appearances (five starts).

Against the Cubs in his career, Falter has struggled to the tune of an 0-2 record with a 10.13 ERA in five appearances (two starts).

The Chicago Cubs Will Send Out RHP Javier Assad (3-3, 3.10 ERA)

Assad’s rookie campaign has been a good one across his 27 appearances, nine of which have been starts.

It’s been a bit of a bumpy road, however, over his last two starts. In 8.2 combined innings, Assad has allowed seven earned runs (7.27 ERA), 12 hits, five walks and has only struck out four.

The right-hander faced the Pirates at PNC Park at the end of August held allowed only one run on three hits in 7.0 innings in the Cubs’ 10-1 win.

Cubs Hitters vs. Falter

• Dansby Swanson: 4 for 8, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
• Ian Happ: 1 for 6, one double, one RBI
• Nico Hoerner, 2 for 5, one double
• Patrick Wisdom: 2 for 5, one walk, two strikeouts
• Yan Gomes: 2 for 4, two home runs, two RBIs, one strikeout
• Seiya Suzuki: 0 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
• Cody Bellinger: 2 for 3, one double, three RBIs, one strikeout
• Christopher Morel: 2 for 3, one double, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Assad

• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 6, one RBI, one strikeout
• Jack Suwinski: 2 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
• Ji Hwan Bae: 1 for 4, one double, one walk, two strikeouts
• Connor Joe: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
• Liover Peguero: 0 for 3, three strikeouts

Tidbits

• Since joining the Pirates as a September call-up, Andujar is hitting .333 (11 for 33) with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs in 10 games.
• Jared Triolo recorded a pair of doubles for the Pirates on Sunday. Entering play, he had two doubles in his first 41 games on the season.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates won their 70th game of the season on Sunday, giving them the most they’ve had in a year since finishing 82-79 in 2018.

Links

Miguel Andujar Making Most of Latest Opportunity With Pirates

With Playoff Atmosphere at PNC Park, Pirates Thinking of Hopeful Future

Pirates GM Ben Cherington Discusses Offseason Plans, Possible McCutchen Deal

Though Not 100%, Henry Davis Hoping to Finish Season on Good Note

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