MLB
The Pirates Are Fighting For Wins
The Pittsburgh Pirates are entering a stretch of games they need to win. The Pirates are fighting for wins.
Previous Home Stand
The previous homestand featured NL West opponents Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers. The homestand wasn’t nice to the Pirates dropping 5-out-of-6 games. To top it off, the Pirates got outscored 48-28. However, they have been outscored by the much is in due part to the pitching staff.
Furthermore, when it comes to NL West opponents, the Pirates haven’t had much luck in the past. On the other hand, the team has seen bright spots this season.
Mini Road Trip
The Pirates went on a miniature road trip to Cincinnati to take on the Reds earlier this week. On Memorial Day, both teams played a doubleheader to accommodate an earlier postponed game in Cincinnati. The Pirates and Reds split the four-game series. It would’ve been nice if the Pirates were able to take three of four. More so, there was one guy who took the Pirates for their money Derek Dietrich.
Derek Dietrich Haunting The Buccos
This season, the Pirates and Reds have been familiarized with each other thus far. On the other hand, Derek Dietrich of the Reds has become the Pirates worst enemy. There some history between Dietrich and Pirates and especially with Archer. After Dietrich earlier in the year admired a home run off Archer that Archer seemed to not enjoy, Archer threw at him which caused some boiling in the water to occur. The recent series witnessed Dietrich hit three home runs in the same game, along with tallying six RBIs. To say the least, Dietrich has become the Pirates arch nemesis.
Actually, Dietrich to date has taken the Pirates pitching staff yard seven times already.
Current Home Stand And The Future
The Pirates started a homestand on Thursday that features an NL Central opponent in the Milwaukee Brewers and an NL East foe in the Atlanta Braves. Ironically, the next 14 games will be against the Brewers and Braves so this stretch is a pivotal time for the Pirates to win a majority of the games.
Likewise, Chris Archer delivered a clutch outing inning wise on Friday night going seven innings. Furthermore, his overall line wasn’t the best. In those seven innings of work, Archer allowed four runs (all earned), five hits, two walks, seven punch-outs and, unfortunately, two home runs.
Facing The Brewers This Year
The Pirates and Brewers have not faced off yet this season. This series marks the first series both divisional opponents will face one another thus far.
Looking Ahead
Saturday’s game is a 4:05 start time. The Pirates will send RHP Brandon Woodruff (7-1, 3.22 ERA, 75 strikeouts) and the Pirates will oppose with RHP Nick Kingham (1-1, 8.28 ERA, 28 strikeouts). On Sunday, the Brewers will send LHP Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 3.19 ERA, 26 strikeouts) and the Pirates will oppose with RHP Jordan Lyles (5-2, 3.09 ERA, 56 strikeouts).
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Written By Tom Johnston
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Photo Credit to Pirates via Twitter
