Gameday 57: Pirates head to Canada to play the Blue Jays

Pirates prepare for a weekend series in Canada

May 31, 2024

After a day off, the Pittsburgh Pirates head to Canada to take on the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game set this weekend.

The Pirates are coming off a split of their two-game series against the Detroit Tigers, which was played as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday.

With a game getting pushed back, the Pirates will have to find something to do about the final starting spot in the rotation for the weekend.

Bailey Falter is set to pitch in the series opener, with Mitch Keller likely to follow him on Saturday. They could do a bullpen game with another off day on Monday, or they could turn to Quinn Priester in Triple-A.

Pirates Lineup

DH - Andrew McCutchen

LF - Bryan Reynolds

RF - Connor Joe

SS - Oneil Cruz

3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes

2B - Nick Gonzales

1B - Rowdy Tellez

C - Yasmani Grandal

CF - Ji Hwan Bae

Blue Jays Lineup

LF - Davis Schneider

C - Danny Jansen

1B - Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

SS - Bo Bichette

DH - Justin Turner

RF - George Springer

2B - Isiah Kiner-Falefa

3B - Ernie Clement

CF - Kevin Kiermaier

Pitching Matchup

PIT - Bailey Falter (3-2, 3.55 ERA, 58.1 IP, 14 BB, 33 K)

TOR - Jose Berrios (5-4, 2.94 ERA, 67.1 IP, 18 BB, 53 K)

Yesterday’s Feature

Keiner Delgado was acquired in the JT Brubaker trade. Despite a smaller frame, he immediately made an impact with the bat with the Pirates. Now that he’s settled in, Delgado is showing quite the toolset.

Bucs On Deck

Keiner Delgado has an exciting toolset to watch

BRADENTON—After missing the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, JT Brubaker was set to find his way back onto the mound at some point this season. However, it won’t be with the Pirates, the team that drafted him. He was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for a player to be named later. The Pirates even added some international pool money to sweeten the pot, potentially adding to the return…

a year ago · 6 likes · 10 comments · Anthony Murphy

Today’s Feature

David Matoma has been one of the more solid pitchers for the FCL club early on and is seeing his role starting to expand. A look at the 18-year-old pitcher from Uganda.

Bucs On Deck

David Matoma continues to impress in the Complex League

It’s generally best to try to temper any expectations from any prospect deep down in the lower levels of the minors. Now, occasionally, someone comes along, making things a little more difficult than usual. David Matoma burst onto the scene last year after signing out of Uganda and saw a major bump in his fastball velocity, reportedly hitting triple-digit…

a year ago · 2 likes · 3 comments · Anthony Murphy

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Bucs On Deck

Eddy Rodriguez adding 'toughness' to Bradenton lineup

When a team signs an international player, it can be a couple of years before we get much information on them. Some of the top players will have some scouting reports, but since they are so young when they are signed, it’s nearly impossible to tell what to expect when they come stateside…

a year ago · 4 likes · 5 comments · Anthony Murphy

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WTM

Rowdy to try the thing you do with a bat again today. Wouldn't be surprised if Shelton got some pressure from above. I can't stand the guy, but I'm starting to have a little sympathy based on the unbelievably stupid position the idiot GM has put him in with Rowdy.

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