Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Winning Streak Continue in St. Louis?

Published

8 months ago

September 1, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (61-73) are coming off an off day on Thursday after sweeping the Kansas City Royals in three games at Kauffman Stadium.

The Pirates will continue their Missouri road trip by traveling east across the state for a three-game series with the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals (58-76).

Pittsburgh will look to add on to their modest three-game winning streak on Friday night at Busch Stadium.

Friday’s first pitch is set for 8:15 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Not a cloud in the sky with temperatures ranging from the upper-to-lower 70s throughout the game. Winds light and variable.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (11-8, 4.01 ERA)

After a rough patch, Keller’s last three starts have been dominant, and the Pirates have won each of those three games.

In his last three starts, Keller has allowed only three runs in 20.0 innings (1.35 ERA) while striking out 25 batters and walking five.

Opponents are slashing just .219/.279/.288 against him with no home runs over that stretch.

Keller has faced the Cardinals nine times in his career including once this year. On Apr. 16, Keller allowed three runs in 6.0 innings against St. Louis.

The St. Louis Cardinals Will Send Out RHP Dakota Hudson (5-1, 4.41 ERA)

While Hudson’s overall numbers are in pretty good shape, he hasn’t had quite the level of success as a starting pitcher.

Six of the right-hander’s 12 appearances have come as a starter, and in those six starts, Hudson owns a 4.68 ERA. He has posted a 4-1 record as a starter, though, despite the somewhat inflated ERA.

Hudson has pitched much better at Busch Stadium this year. He owns a 3.90 ERA in his home park and has a 5.40 ERA on the road.

In his career, Hudson has faced the Pirates 10 times (six starts) and is 2-1 with a 5.64 ERA.

Cardinals Hitters vs. Keller

Paul Goldschmidt: 5 for 20, one double, one RBI, three walks, three strikeouts
Tommy Edman: 6 for 18, one double, three RBIs, three walks, three strikeouts
Nolan Arendao: 4 for 14, one double, one home run, four RBIs, three strikeouts
Willson Contreras: 3 for 12, two doubles, one RBI, one walk, seven strikeouts
Tyler O’Neill: 2 for 12, two walks, three strikeouts
Nolan Gorman: 2 for 7, one double, one walk, one strikeout
Andrew Knizner: 2 for 4, one strikeout
Alec Burleson: 0 for 4
Jordan Walker: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Hudson

Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 10, one RBI, one walk
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 9, one double, three walks, one strikeout
Ji Hwan Bae: 2 for 2, one RBI

Tidbits

The Pirates’ next win will match their 2022 season total (62-100). They haven’t won 63 games since finishing 69-93 in 2019.
The Pirates finished August with a 14-15 record, their best month since going 19-9 in April.
Keller’s 3.51 ERA in his career against the Cardinals is the lowest he has against any opponent he has faced more than five times.