Pirates Preview: Looking to Get Even With Philly in Oviedo’s Final ’23 Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates (74-83) were walked off by Johan Rojas and the Philadelphia Phillies (88-69) by a score of 3-2 in 10 innings on Tuesday.

In the game, Mitch Keller set the Pirates’ franchise mark for strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher with 210.

The Pirates will look to put the loss behind them and even up their three-game series against Philadelphia on Wednesday.

First pitch is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low-60s for first pitch. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Johan Oviedo (9-14, 4.12 ERA)

Despite issuing five free passes against the Chicago Cubs in his last start, Oviedo tossed six-shutout innings for the Pirates in their 8-6 win.

Control issues have been more common for Oviedo down the stretch. He’s walked at least five batters in three out of his last four starts.

Despite the spotty control, Oviedo has only allowed one earned run in his last 11.0 innings pitched and owns a 3.44 ERA in the month of September.

Oviedo has faced the Phillies three times in his career, two of which were relief appearances. He has a 5.14 ERA against them.

The Philadelphia Phillies Will Send Out LHP Ranger Suárez (4-6, 3.89 ERA)

Suárez was roughed up against the New York Mets in his last start, but prior to that had a strong stretch of starts.

Against New York, he was tagged for four earned runs in 6.2 innings, had a 2.86 ERA in his last six starts dating back to Aug 1.

The left-hander missed a couple weeks at the end of August with a right hamstring strain.

In his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Suárez has not allowed an earned run in 19.1 innings pitched across five appearances (two starts). Over that span, he’s struck out 19 batters and walked only one.

Phillies Hitters vs. Oviedo

• Nick Castellanos: 1 for 6, one strikeout
• Kyle Schwarber: 0 for 4, two walks, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Suárez

• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 6, one walk
• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 5, two strikeouts
• Connor Joe: 1 for 3, one RBI

Tidbits

• Keller is one of six different Pirates’ pitchers to record 200+ strikeouts in a season, joining Bob Veale (four times), Oliver Perez, Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole and Burnett.
• The last year a Pirates’ pitcher had 200+ strikeouts in a season came in 2015 when both Liriano and Cole did so.
• Henry Davis had two hits including a home run in Tuesday’s loss and is hitting .350 (7 for 20) with two doubles and two homers over his current five-game hitting streak.

Links

Perrotto: Putting David Bednar’s 3-Year Run Into Context

Pirates to Recall Nick Gonzales From Triple-A Indianapolis

Perrotto: This Negative Comment About Pirates is Different

Pirates Emphasize Mental Skills Coaching Among Their Players

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