Gameday 122: Pirates Open Up Weekend Series Against Minnesota Twins
A three game set against the Minnesota Twins continues the Pirates road trip
After a disappointing series in New York against the Mets the Pirates will look to rebound against the Minnesota Twins, who lead the AL Central by 4.5 games currently.
Minnesota split a two-game series against the Detroit Tigers, and are 5-5 in their last 10 games overall.
The Pirates went into New York with an opportunity to capitalize on a reeling Mets team, but only won one of the three games they played there.
Pittsburgh now enters this weekend only half a game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in a battle for the basement of the NL Central.
Andre Jackson will make his second start for the Pirates, and will be opposed by Pablo Lopez.
Recent Articles
This Rundown covers Termarr Johnson leaving his game last night early after being hit by a pitch.
Today’s feature takes a further look at fastball shape, using Vertical Approach Angle (VAA) and Horizontal Approach Angle (HAA), brought to you by Nola Jeffy.
Yesterday’s premium article was a scouting notes piece on Michael Kennedy, who I got to see pitch for the first time. For being 18-years-old, I like where he’s at in his development, and interested in his future.
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Andre Jackson (0-0, 5.47 ERA)
MIN - Pablo Lopez (8-6, 3.66 ERA)
Pirates Lineup
CF - Ji-Hwan Bae
DH - Bryan Reynolds
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes
LF - Jack Suwinski
RF - Henry Davis
C - Endy Rodriguez
2B - Liover Peguero
1B - Alfonso Rivas
SS - Alika Williams
Some injury updates:
Termarr’s x-rays were negative. Day to day.
White is in concussion protocol, so I guess he got beaned. They expect him to be cleared this weekend or early next week.
The Stoopid never stops with this team. Leadoff guy gets in scoring position, so Shelton decides he needs to be more in scoring position, even though nobody on this team ever gets a runner in from third with less than two outs. And like everybody on this team, Bae pops up the bunt.