Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies: A Statistical Showdown
Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh Pirates
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Starter: Mitch Keller (5-10, 4.78 ERA)
- Keller has struggled in recent starts, allowing 15 runs in his last 2 outings
- However, he has been solid at home this season, posting a 3.12 ERA in 9 starts at PNC Park
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Bullpen: The Pirates' bullpen has been one of their strengths this season
- They rank 12th in the MLB with a 3.65 ERA
- Closer David Bednar has converted 20 of 25 save opportunities
Philadelphia Phillies
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Starter: Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.88 ERA)
- Wheeler is one of the best pitchers in the NL this season
- He has allowed only 3 runs in his last 4 starts
- He is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 4 career starts against the Pirates
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Bullpen: The Phillies' bullpen has been a bit shaky this season
- They rank 20th in the MLB with a 4.12 ERA
- Closer Seranthony Dominguez has converted 16 of 21 save opportunities
Offensive Matchup
Pittsburgh Pirates
Philadelphia Phillies
Key Stats
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Batting Average: .243 (20th in MLB)
- Home Runs: 162 (10th in MLB)
- Runs per Game: 4.51 (15th in MLB)
- ERA: 4.30 (25th in MLB)
Philadelphia Phillies
- Batting Average: .260 (10th in MLB)
- Home Runs: 210 (1st in MLB)
- Runs per Game: 5.22 (5th in MLB)
- ERA: 3.92 (14th in MLB)
Strategies
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Pitch to contact: The Pirates should try to get Wheeler to pitch to contact, as he has a high groundball rate
- Be patient at the plate: The Pirates should be patient at the plate and wait for their pitch to hit, as Wheeler is known for throwing long counts
- Play small ball: The Pirates should try to manufacture runs by bunting and stealing bases
Philadelphia Phillies
- Attack Keller early: The Phillies should try to attack Keller early in the game, as he has struggled in recent starts
- Don't swing at first pitches: Keller throws a lot of first-pitch strikes, so the Phillies should try to be patient and get a good pitch to hit
- Use their power: The Phillies have one of the most powerful offenses in the MLB, so they should use their power to their advantage
Tips and Tricks
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Use the shift against Harper: Harper is a left-handed hitter who pulls the ball a lot, so the Pirates should shift their defense to his pull side
- Walk Schwarber: Schwarber is one of the most dangerous hitters in the Phillies' lineup, so the Pirates should consider walking him if they can get a favorable matchup
- Don't be afraid to bunt: The Pirates have some good bunters, so they should not be afraid to use them to manufacture runs
Philadelphia Phillies
- Play for the double play: The Pirates have a lot of runners on base, so the Phillies should try to get them to hit into double plays
- Use their speed: The Phillies have some good speed, so they should try to steal bases and put pressure on the Pirates' defense
- Don't take Keller lightly: Keller is a good pitcher, so the Phillies should not take him lightly just because he has struggled in recent starts
Pros and Cons
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pros:
- Solid offense
- Good bullpen
- Home field advantage
Cons:
- Struggling starting pitching
- Inexperienced defense
- Not a lot of margin for error
Philadelphia Phillies
Pros:
- Powerful offense
- Good starting pitching
- Experienced defense
Cons:
- Shaky bullpen
- Road game
- Not as much room for error as the Pirates
Call to Action
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies are two of the most storied franchises in MLB history. This matchup is sure to be a close and exciting one. Make sure to tune in to watch the game and see who comes out on top!