Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Hill Provide Length in Rubber Match?

Published

10 months ago

July 2, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (39-43) got demolished in game two against the Milwaukee Brewers (44-39) Saturday evening.

Corbin Burnes had a perfect game going into the sixth inning until he walked two batters and gave up a two-RBI single from Jack Suwinski.

Johan Oviedo got roughed up during his outing, which resulted in his fifth straight game, where he received a loss. Granted, his other starts weren’t indicative of a bad start.

The Pirates made a huge comeback in the bottom of the eighth, where they scored six runs and reduced the Brewers’ lead to three runs heading into the ninth inning.

But, the Pirates would fall after a failed comeback and lost to the Brewers 11-8.

Game three between the Pirates and Brewers will be at PNC Park, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 p.m. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet, or listen to the game on 93.7 The Fan

Weather

Scattered Thunderstorms are supposed to be starting early Sunday morning and aren’t forecasted to stop at all until Monday. The temperatures will range in the low 70s with ten mph winds throughout the game.

The Pirates will send out LHP Rich Hill (7-7, 4.45 ERA)

Hill earned the win in his last start on June 27 against the San Diego Padres. Hill finished the game with six innings pitched, nine hits, four earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts.

That victory marked the eighth straight game where Hill has been a part of the decision. In three of the eight games, Hill has earned the victory.

Surprisingly, Hill has induced a decent amount of swing and miss (22.7% whiff rate) with his four-seam, which averages 88.1 mph.

Hill has faced the Brewers 12 times (11 starts) and holds a 3-4 record, with an ERA of 3.96 in 63.2 innings pitched.

The Brewers will send out RHP Colin Rea (4-4, 4.57 ERA)

Rea put forth a strong effort in his last outing on June 26 against the New York Mets. In 6.1 innings pitched, Rea allowed three hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck out three in a winning effort.

Over the entire month of June, Rea has put up an ERA of 4.05 in 26.2 innings pitched.

Rea offers a six-pitch mix with a sinker (26.9%), cutter (24.2%), four-seam (22.1%), sweeper (9.8%), curveball (9.4%), and a splitter (7.6%).

Rea’s sinker hasn’t performed the way he’d like it to, with an opposing batting average of .262 and an average exit velocity of 91.3 mph.

Rea has faced the Pirates twice (one start) and holds a record of 1-0 with an ERA of 4.50 in six innings pitched.

Brewers Hitters vs. Hill

Christian Yelich: 5-15 with three doubles
William Contreras: 2-5 with one double and triple
Willy Adames: 0-7 with two walks and two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Rea

Andrew McCutchen: 1-2 with one double

Tidbits

Jared Triolo earned his first big league RBI and double in the eighth inning off of former Pirate, Bryse Wilson
The Pirates have scored 37 runs in their last five games. In their previous five games, the Pirates scored a grand total of 13 runs.
On the more negative side of things, the Pirates pitching has allowed 27 runs in their last five games. In their previous five, pitching allowed 21 runs.