Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Contreras Get it Together and Earn Series Win?

Published

11 months ago

June 7, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (32-28) were completely blown out of the water Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics (13-50) in an embarrassing 11-2 loss.

Mitch Keller did not have his best stuff against the Athletics and walked an unusually high four batters.

Keller ended up lasting just 5.1 innings, and when it was all said and done, Keller got tagged with the loss and gave up five earned runs.

The Pirates’ offense was inept, as they could only manage two runs against a pitcher with an ERA in the eights and a bullpen that isn’t what you call great entering Tuesday night’s game.

The first pitch at PNC Park is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. Wednesday’s game will be aired on AT&T Sportsnet. You can also listen to the game on the Pirates radio station, 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

You can expect sunny/mostly sunny skies on the North Shore Wednesday afternoon as the Pirates try to take the series in a game three rubber match. Temperatures will range from 70-73 degrees, and there will be a breeze of 9-10 mph blowing northwest throughout the contest.

The Pirates will send out RHP Roansy Contreras (3-4, 4.82 ERA)

Contreras has been on the struggle bus for quite some time, and he can’t seem to pull the string to get off at the next stop.

On his last start on June 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Contreras lasted only four innings with seven hits, five earned runs, no walks, and six strikeouts.

The good news is Contreras’ four-seam velo was up in his last start from an average of 94.3 on the year, to 95.5 against the Cardinals.

Contreras has never faced the Athletics in his career.

The Athletics will send out LHP Hogan Harris (0-0, 6.97 ERA)

This marks Harris’ first career start in the major leagues, since making his MLB debut on April 14.

Harris has made three career appearances, with his first appearance being a nightmare against the New York Mets. Harris managed to get only one out and gave up six earned runs on one hit and five walks.

Every other game, he’s been used in a long relief role, going five innings in each appearance and only giving up a combined two earned runs.

Harris offers a four-pitch mix with a four-seam (44.6%), cutter (20.8%), curveball (17.3%), and a changeup (17.3%). In addition, Harris’ four-seam averages 93.3 mph.

Harris has never faced the Pirates.

Athletics Hitters

Jace Peterson: 0-1 with a strikeout

Pirates Hitters

No current Pirate has faced Harris

Tidbits

Keller failed to go at least six innings for just the third time this season. The last game Keller failed to go six innings was on May 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he went five full.
The Pirates went a combined 0-13 with runners in scoring position Tuesday night, and have now gone just 1-20 in this series.
This time last season, the Pirates were 23-35, which is a +9 differential from last year. It may not seem like it, but the Pirates are slowly showing progress.