Pirates Spring Preview: Luis Ortiz Looking to Keep Rolling vs. Tigers

The Pittsburgh Pirates will make the bus ride to Lakeland on Saturday to play the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 ET.

On the mound for the Pirates will be right-hander Luis Ortiz. Ortiz has made two appearances (one start) so far this spring and has yet to be charged with an earned run. In five innings, the 25-year-old has allowed two unearned runs on two hits, two walks and has struck out six batters.

Ortiz is one of the many arms vying for a spot in the Pirates’ starting rotation come opening day on Mar. 28. He’s impressed in his early showing.

The Pirates’ lineup features three players who have an OPS higher than 1.000 — Henry Davis (1.214), Gilberto Celestino (1.141) and Liover Peguero (1.069).

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup

1. Canaan Smith-Njigba LF
2. Liover Peguero 2B
3. Henry Davis C
4. Jake Lamb 1B
5. Gilberto Celestino CF
6. Alika Williams SS
7. Joe Perez RF
8. Sergio Alcántara 3B
9. Abrahan Gutierrez DH

The Pirates will be up against big right-hander Matt Manning. So far this spring, Manning has allowed one run on one hit in five innings pitched. He’s walked one and has punched out six.

The game will be available as a webcast on Pirates.com

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