Gameday 48: Pirates look for series win in Chicago

Mitch Keller on the mound for Sunday series finale.

May 19, 2024

After losing on Saturday to a controversial play at the plate call, the Pittsburgh Pirates will look to wrap up the series against the Cubs in Chicago.

They won the first two of the set and will look to avoid letting another four-game series slip through their hands against a divisional opponent.

While the offense had things going the first two games, they got shutout on just four hits on Saturday.

Bailey Falter pitched another gem, going 7.2 shutout innings in getting a no-decision.

Mitch Keller will be on the mound after picking up a win in each of his last two starts. He pitched six shutout innings against the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the week.

He will face former Pirates Jameson Taillon, who is off to a good start to the season. First pitch is expected around 2:20 pm ET.

Pirates Lineup

RF - Andrew McCutchen

DH - Bryan Reynolds

SS - Oneil Cruz

LF - Connor Joe

2B - Nick Gonzales

CF - Jack Suwinski

C - Yasmani Grandal

1B - Rowdy Tellez

3B - Jared Triolo

Cubs Lineup

RF - Mike Tauchman

DH - Seiya Suzuki

CF - Cody Bellinger

3B - Christopher Morel

LF - Ian Happ

1B - Michael Busch

2B - Nick Madrigal

SS - Mile Mastrobuoni

C - Miguel Amaya

Pitching Matchup

PIT - Mitch Keller (4-3, 3.93 ERA, 55 IP, 16 BB, 51 K)

CHC - Jameson Taillon (3-1, 1.61 ERA, 28 IP, 8 BB, 18 K)

Yesterday’s Feature

On Saturday, we looked at some of the players trending up in an organization that is deep in pitching and looking for a hitter to breakthrough.

Bucs On Deck

Early 2024 prospects trending up in the Pirates system

Sometimes, no matter how much you prepare, you don’t truly learn until you do something. I’ve become aware of this for multiple reasons over the last few weeks, including my Bradenton trip. The main thing I’m talking about here is our Top 25 prospect list. I was thrilled with how it turned out; the write-ups, I think, reflect just how mu…

6 months ago · 5 likes · 2 comments · Anthony Murphy

Today’s Feature

Part of the Joe Musgrove trade, things haven’t been the smoothest for Drake Fellows, but finally healthy, he’s running with the opportunity he’s getting in Altoona.

Bucs On Deck

Drake Fellows making most of opportunity in Altoona

It’s been a long, tough road for Drake Fellows. Despite being drafted in 2019 out of Vanderbilt, Fellows has logged just 45 innings in his professional career—nearly half of them have come this season. He allowed nine walks and 11 earned runs in 11 innings pitched last year with Bradenton but got the push-up to Greensboro to begin 2024…

6 months ago · 1 like · Anthony Murphy

Support the site by becoming a paid member, and get access to all of our premium content, including our Top 25 list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.

It will also give access to my player feature articles from on-site trips.

Bucs On Deck

Omar Alfonzo showing a 'calmness' at the plate

BRADENTON - Down the stretch of the 2023 season, few hitters were doing as well for the Bradenton Marauders than catcher Omar Alfonzo, son of former big leaguer Eliezer. After an initial 10-game stint that saw him put up a wRC+ of just 46, Alfonzo returned to the FCL for a couple of weeks before finishing the year with Bradenton…

6 months ago · 6 likes · 1 comment · Anthony Murphy

We have monthly and yearly plans available, with the latter coming out to an average of $4.16/month.

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WTM

May 19

I've especially enjoyed seeing the Pirates beat the Cubs ever since back in the day watching Leyland manage rings around Zip Zimmer. Always good to see, however it happens.

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