Pirates Spring Preview: Roansy Contreras Makes Second Start Against Tigers

Roansy Contreras gets another start for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they look to make it two wins in a row when they face the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland on Saturday afternoon.

In Contreras’ last start, he allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in two innings pitched. While the final line wasn’t ideal, Contreras probably pitched better than the numbers indicate.

The right-hander is in competition for one of the two open spots in the Pirates’ rotation. Chase Anderson, who is a non-roster invitee for the Pirates, is also in that competition. He is scheduled to make his spring debut against Detroit.

Henry Davis will serve as Contreras’ battery mate and Oneil Cruz will again man short and bat leadoff.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup

1. Oneil Cruz SS
2. Ji Hwan Bae CF
3. Henry Davis C
4. Jack Suwinski LF
5. Edward Olivares RF
6. Canaan Smith-Njigba DH
7. Nick Gonzales 3B
8. Jake Lamb 1B
9. Alika Williams 2B

The Pirates will face right-hander Jack Flaherty, who was signed by the Tigers as a free agent this offseason. Pittsburgh had been linked to the veteran started prior to him landing in Detroit.

Flaherty was 8-9 with a 4.99 ERA last season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles. He’s faced the Pirates 16 times in his big-league career and is 9-1 with a 2.52 against them.

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