Pirates

Pirates Preview: Seven-Game Homestand Begins With St. Louis

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (55-69) are coming off of a lifeless performance on offense in which they managed only two hits — both from Bryan Reynolds — in their 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Twins starter Dallas Keuchel carried a perfect game into the seventh inning until Reynolds doubled with one out.

After being on the road for six games, the Pirates will begin a stretch of seven games at PNC Park beginning Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals (55-70).

First pitch is 7:05 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Mostly cloudy conditions and hot — temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

The Pirates Will Send Out RHP Thomas Hatch (1-0, 3.55 ERA)

Hatch, who has been effective since joining the Pirates, will make his first start with the team. It will be his first start since July 2, 2022 while with the Toronto Blue Jays.

In three appearances out of the bullpen with Pittsburgh, Hatch has allowed two runs across 6.2 innings pitched and has struck out four while only walking one.

This will be his first time pitching against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals Will Send Out LHP Drew Rom (MLB Debut)

The 23-year-old Rom will be making his major league debut on Monday night against the Pirates.

Rom was acquired by the Cardinals at the trade deadline in the four-player deal that sent right-hander Jack Flaherty to the Baltimore Orioles.

In Triple-A this season between his time with both organizations, Rom is 9-6 with a 4.82 ERA in 21 appearances (20 starts). He’s allowed only one run in 11.0 innings with 18 strikeouts since being acquired by St. Louis.

Rom has a three-pitch mix — a fastball, slider and changeup.

Cardinals Hitters vs. Hatch

Pirates Hitters vs. Rom

Tidbits

With five RBIs on Saturday, McCutchen passed Dave Parker for ninth on the Pirates’ all-time list for RBIs. McCutchen now has 761 with Pittsburgh and needs six more to tie Arky Vaughn for eighth.
With two more hits on Sunday, Reynolds is hitting .316 (25 for 79) with a .980 OPS in the month of August.
After the Pirates had either won or split five series in a row, they have dropped three straight and are 3-6 in their last nine games.