Gameday 109: Pirates open key home series against Diamondbacks
Luis Ortiz pitches for the Pirates.
After facing them last weekend, the Pirates will get another crack at the Diamondbacks for the next three days at home.
They will do so with Luis Ortiz, Mitch Keller, and Paul Skenes, who are scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.
After splitting their road trip (3-3), the Pirates remain just 0.5 games back of the Cardinals for second place in the NL Central. They are 2.5 games away from a Wild Card Spot.
It was a tough series in Houston for Oneil Cruz, as he went 1-13 with nine strikeouts at the plate and committed five errors in three games in the field.
Bryan De La Cruz, acquired from the Marlins at the deadline, had two hits and struck out twice.
Ortiz will start. His last outing was against the Diamondbacks. He pitched strong through the first five innings until hitting a rough spot in the sixth.
Brandon Pfaadt, who last pitched against the Pirates, will oppose him. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
Pirates Lineup
DH - Andrew McCutchen
LF - Bryan Reynolds
SS - Oneil Cruz
RF - Bryan De La Cruz
1B - Rowdy Tellez
C - Joey Bart
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes
2B - Jared Triolo
CF - Michael A. Taylor
Diamondbacks Lineup
RF - Corbin Carroll
2B - Ketel Marte
DH - Joc Pederson
1B - Josh Bell
LF - Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
C - Gabriel Moreno
3B - Eugenio Suarez
CF - Alek Thomas
SS - Geraldo Perdomo
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Luis Ortiz (5-2, 2.75 ERA, 78.2 IP, 24 BB, 63 K)
ARI - Brandon Pfaadt (5-6, 3.92 ERA, 126.1 IP, 27 BB, 115 K)
Yesterday’s Feature
Nick Yorke was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Quinn Priester. He’s gotten off to a strong start, hitting a two-run double on Wednesday for the Indianapolis Indians. I looked back at his time in Triple-A with Boston and what he did so well.
Today’s Feature
July is over, and August will be the last full month of the minor league season. I look at some of the top performers through the end of July in the Pirates’ system.
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DKPS had a good writeup on Endy. Said he’s making exceptional progress. Also said he’s added muscle. REALLY hoping he gets to DH some on rehab this year.
The catching situation next March could be a battle royale.
Sounds like IKF is playing in Altoona today on a rehab