Pirates Preview: Final Series of the Season Starts Friday Night

In their last road game of 2023, the Pittsburgh Pirates (75-84) squeaked out a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Luis Ortiz gave the Pirates five solid innings and Jared Triolo plated two of the Pirates’ three runs on a pair of doubles.

Pittsburgh returns to PNC Park for a three-game series against the Miami Marlins (82-76) to close out the 2023 campaign starting on Friday night.

First pitch is set for 6:35 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Morning showers are expected to give way for what should be a beautiful fall night for baseball. Winds light and variable.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Have Not Yet Announced a Starting Pitcher

The Miami Marlins Will Send Out RHP Edward Cabrera (7-7, 4.22 ERA)

Cabrera has had a solid season on the mound for Miami, and he’s been pitching well of late.

In four appearances (two starts) in the month of September, the 25-year-old is 2-1 with a sparkling 1.89 ERA (4er/19.0ip). He’s struck out 22 batters over that span and opponents are only hitting .167 with a .522 OPS against him.

The right-hander has faced the Pirates one previous time in his career and tossed 4.0 scoreless innings while striking out seven batters.

Pirates Hitters vs. Cabrera

• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 3, two doubles, one strikeout

Tidbits

• Bryan Reynolds has reached base safely in 26 games, which is tied for the longest streak by a Pirates’ player since 2010.
• David Bednar recorded his 38th save of the season in Thursday’s win. That’s the most for a Pirates’ closer since Mark Melancon had 51 saves in 2015.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their road slate with a 37-44 record, which marked a nine-game improvement from a season ago.

Links

Perrotto: What Pirates Can Learn from Brewers, Rays

Hayes Extension Has Become Big Bargain, Clear Indicator For Pirates

REPORT: Pirates Sign 16-Year-Old Nephew of Sammy Sosa

Mitch Keller Sets a New Pirates’ Single-Season Record

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