Pirates Preview: Chance to Win Back-to-Back Over Nats

Thanks to a strong start from Bailey Falter and aided by a Joshua Palacios two-run homer, the Pittsburgh Pirates (67-78) were 5-1 victors over the Washington Nationals (65-80) on Tuesday.

Falter completed six innings and held the Nats to one run, while Palacios finished the game 2 for 4 with a home run and a walk.

The Pirates and Nationals will continue their four-game series at PNC Park on Wednesday night.

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

Weather

The fall weather is taking over Pittsburgh with expected temperatures in the 60s and partly cloudy skies for gametime. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Colin Selby (2-1, 8.64 ERA)

While Selby’s overall numbers are ugly, he’s had some success for the Pirates as an opener.

Selby’s first two time used as an opener were spotless, but the right-hander was tagged for three runs in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh a week ago.

This will be the first time in his career that the rookie will face the Nationals.

The Washington Nationals Will Send Out RHP Jackson Rutledge (MLB Debut)

Rutledge, the Nationals’ No. 13 prospect, will be on the mound at PNC Park for his big league debut.

Washington selected the 6-foot-8 right-hander with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 draft — one spot ahead of where the Pirates took Quinn Priester.

After disappointing seasons from 2021-22, Rutledge has split time between Double-A and Triple-A and has gone 8-4 with a 3.71 ERA across 23 starts.

Rutledge offers a power-fastball, a curveball, slider and changeup.

Nationals Hitters vs. Selby

• N/A

Pirates Hitters vs. Rutledge

• N/A

Tidbits

• With two stolen bases on Tuesday, Ke’Bryan Hayes became the third Pirates’ third baseman since 1974 with 10+ homers and 10+ steals in a season, joining Phil Garner (1977) and Bill Madlock (1982).
• Since joining the Pirates, Falter is 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in eight appearances (five starts). He’s allowed only two runs over his last 13.1 innings pitched.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates left 15 runners on base in Tuesday’s win and stranded the bases loaded in four different innings.

Links

Joshua Palacios Making the Most of Big League Opportunity

Oneil Cruz Won’t Return to Pirates This Season

Perrotto: MLB Should Take Usually Muted Ke’Bryan Hayes’ Advice

Move Across Diamond Doesn’t Prove Too Challenging For Sure-Handed Triolo

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