Pirates Series Takeaways: Coming Home at .500; Young Trio on Display, Cruz Punishing Lefties
After a lifeless performance in the series opener, the Pittsburgh Pirates bats came alive and responded with back-to-back 8-3 wins over the division-rival Cincinnati Reds to take the series at Great American Ball Park.
The Pirates fell 2-0 on Monday night but hit six home runs over the next two games — three from Oneil Cruz, two from Bryan Reynolds and one from Ryan O’Hearn.
While the offense came alive, the pitching staff remained solid and limited the Reds to eight runs across three games and helped ensure the Pirates will return to Pittsburgh this weekend with a .500 record.
Considering the sluggish 1-3 start to the season, that’s a definite win. There was a noticeable buzz around this team at the start of the season, but a potential 1-5 start would have dampened the mood with the Pirates set to take the field in front of the home crowd for the first time on Friday.
It serves as a reminder to always consider in baseball. Forming conclusions one way or another on teams or players after only a few games in a 162-game season is foolish. Let things play out!
What a Trio
The three-game series with the Reds featured three extremely talented young starting pitchers in Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Paul Skenes.
Though he took the loss on Monday, Ashcraft didn’t perform like a pitcher worthy of starting his season 0-1. After an encouraging rookie season a year ago, the 26-year-old held Cincinnati to two runs in six innings in his season debut. He walked four but only allowed four hits and did a good job limiting damage.
In need of a win on Tuesday, the Pirates received quite an effort from Chandler, who struggled with fastball command but was untouchable. Although he walked six batters, Chandler didn’t allow a hit across 4.1 innings and recorded six strikeouts. The 23-year-old threw 16 pitches 100 mph or harder and topped out at 101.2 mph.
After a stunning two-thirds of an inning outing on Opening Day — not that it was all on him — Skenes rebounded with five strong innings and got the win for the Pirates in the rubber match on Wednesday afternoon.
The trio of Skenes, Ashcraft and Chandler provide enough upside to say the Pirates could have one of the better rotations in baseball both this year and in the future. Those three, along with Mitch Keller and Carmen Mlodzinski, have combined for a 1.75 ERA in five games since Opening Day.
Oneil Cruz: Lefty Masher?
Last season Oneil Cruz hit an abysmal .102 (11 for 108) with only one home run and a .400 OPS against left-handed pitching.
The Pirates’ center fielder made it a point to try and improve against southpaws this offseason, and although the season has only just begun, the early returns are very encouraging.
Cruz finished Tuesday night’s win over the Reds 3 for 4 with a pair of home runs. Two of those hits and one of the home runs came against left-handed starter Brandon Williamson. The home run, by the way, measured a whopping 444 feet, which entered Wednesday’s action tied for the longest round-tripper in MLB so far this season.
On Wednesday, Cruz surpassed his home run total against left-handed pitching from last season with a first-inning three-run shot against Andrew Abbott.
After Wednesday’s game, which included two hits in three trips to the plate against Abbott, Cruz is now 5 for 7 against left-handed pitching so far this season. Though it was far from a tape-measure shot, his second hit of Wednesday’s game might’ve been his biggest sign of growth. Cruz took an 0-2 pitch, didn’t try to do too much or overswing and hit a grounder down the left field line for a base hit.
Again, it’s early, but the Pirates have to be pleased with his approach and obviously the results so far. Having him in the lineup everyday could be a major boost for the offense. As always, with any player but especially Cruz, consistency will be key. For now, he’s earned a spot in the lineup against southpaws.
See yinz at PNC Park on Friday!
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