Pirates

Pirates Preview: Easter Sunday Finale vs. Marlins

Published

1 month ago

March 31, 2024

Jared Jones was downright impressive in his first MLB start for the Pittsburgh Pirates (3-0) in their 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins (0-3) at loanDepot Park on Saturday.

Jones struck out 10 batters in 5.2 innings pitched, tied for the second-most by a Pirates’ pitcher in a game in franchise history. Thanks to his efforts and a balanced attack from the offense, the Pirates have a chance at a four-game sweep to start the year.

It will be up to Bailey Falter, who will make his first start of the season for Pittsburgh.

First pitch on Easter Sunday is scheduled for 1:40 ET and the game will be televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

The Marlins’ home ballpark is covered by a roof, so weather won’t be a factor for this four-game series.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter

Falter was given the final spot in the Pirates’ rotation out of spring training. The left-hander made six appearances/three starts during Grapefruit League play and was 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA. In 16 innings, he allowed 22 hits, walked three and struck out 15.

The Pirates acquired Falter from the Philadelphia Phillies at last year’s trade deadline. After joining Pittsburgh, he went 2-2 with a 5.58 ERA in 10 appearances.

In his career against the Marlins, Falter is 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in six appearances including a 1-0 mark with a 4.38 ERA in four appearances at loan Depot Park.

The Miami Marlins Will Send Out LHP Trevor Rogers

The fourth and final left-hander the Pirates will face against Miami is Rogers, who made four starts before a season-ending injury last season.

In four seasons with the Marlins in the big leagues, Rogers has gone 13-23 with a 4.12 ERA in 59 starts. He finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year race in 2021 behind the Cincinnati Reds’ Jonathan India.

Rogers has made two previous starts against the Pirates and is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 11.1 innings.

Marlins Hitters vs. Falter

Bryan De La Cruz: 3 for 7, two home runs, two RBIs
Josh Bell: 4 for 5, one double, two home runs, four RBIs, one walk
Avisaíl García: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout
Nick Fortes: 0 for 3
Jake Burger: 1 for 2, one home run, three RBIs, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Rogers

Andrew McCutchen: 6 for 12, one double, three home runs, six RBIs, two walks, four strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 6
Connor Joe: 1 for 4, one double, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Jared Jones’ 10 strikeouts were tied with Tim Wakefield for the second-most by a Pirates’ starting pitcher in his debut. Only Dick Hall (1955) and Nick Maddox (1907) had more — both with 11.
Francisco Liriano and AJ Burnett are the only two Pirates’ pitchers since 2008 to induce more whiffs in a start since 2008. Jones had 22 in his first start.
Falter’s 10 home runs allowed after joining the Pirates were tied for the fourth-most in the National League to end the 2023 season.