MLB
Pirates Open Home Stand Against Athletics
The Pirates are coming off a road trip out west which featured a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers and then a two-game sweep of the Texas Rangers. The latter ended an eight-game losing streak. Tonight, the Pirates open home stand against Athletics.
Previous Road Trip
The Pirates are coming off a road trip that had stops in Los Angeles and Arlington. The Pirates over the years have shown weakness out on west coast trips.
Returning Home
The Pirates return home to PNC Park after their last home stand didn’t end so well. After taking two of three from the San Francisco Giants, everything fell apart when the Arizona Diamondbacks came to town. The result was a four-game sweep of the Pirates.
That four game sweep by the Diamondbacks led to the start of what would eventually become an eight-game losing streak. The Pirates would end that streak later on in Arlington against the Rangers.
Current Home Stand
The Pittsburgh Pirates current home stand will feature five games with a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics starting on Friday then a short two-game series against the Texas Rangers again before the team heads back on the road.
Pirates at Home Thus Far
The Pirates are currently 6-7 in the 13 games played at PNC Park this season. The Pirates have scored 42 runs at home so far compared to their opponents who have scored 56 runs.
Series Against the Athletics
Friday night’s pitching match-up will feature Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove (1-2, 1.54 ERA with 31 strikeouts). Opposing him for the Oakland Athletics will be LHP Brett Anderson (3-2, 4.35 ERA) who has just 18 strike outs thus far. In Anderson’s first four starts, he looked like the A’s best pitcher. On the other hand, in his last two starts, Anderson has not completed five innings in either outing. However, in his career at PNC Park, Anderson is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts. Musgrove, on the other hand, finished April as perhaps the Pirates best starter. Musgrove currently has five quality starts under his belt. Besides that, he finished April with a 1.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Additionally, Musgrove had 33 strikeouts in 30 innings.
For game two on Saturday, the Athletics plan to send RHP Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.75 ERA, 16 strikeouts) to the mound. The Pirates plan to go with RHP Trevor Williams (1-1, 3.38 ERA, 27 strikeouts). For the rubber match on Sunday, the Athletics have RHP Frankie Montas scheduled to pitch (4-2, 2.97 ERA, 30 strikeouts). The Pirates plan on going with RHP Jordan Lyles (2-1, 2.42 ERA, 26 strikeouts).
Conclusion
The Pirates open home stand against the Athletics, returning home after a road trip on the west coast. They’ll face the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers this upcoming home stand.
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Photo Credit to Pirates via Twitter
