After 4-2 and 5-1 victories the past two days, the Pittsburgh Pirates hope to go for their second consecutive series sweep;this time against the Miami Marlins.
With last night’s victory, the Pirates starting pitching staff has each earned a victory as part of a five-game winning streak.
Today’s starters:
The Pirates will send Gerrit Cole to the mound to face left-handed starter Brad Hand.
After winning his first four decisions of the season, Cole has won two of his past three. In his last start which was against the New York Mets, Cole pitched 8.1 innings a career high. He also earned the win allowing one run on six hits. Additionally Cole registered double digit strikeouts for the first time this season while throwing a season high 111 pitches.
Cole has a 27-14 record in major league action. This makes him the first Pirates pitcher in over 100 years to win 27 of his first 50 MLB games. The last Pirates pitcher to accomplish the feat was right-handed pitcher Nick Maddox who was 28-11 at the same point in 1908.
Cole is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Marlins.
Hand is making his first start of the season and had a no-decision in his one career start against the Pirates. The Marlins won this game, the lone win they have had in the past 11 meetings between the teams at PNC Park.
In his last five appearances Hand has allowed two runs while posting a 2.84 ERA in 6.1 innings.
Pregame thoughts:
When Pirates manager Clint Hurdle made the decision to designate Radhames Liz for assignment prior to Monday’s game against the Marlins it showed faith in relief pitcher Rob Scahill.
Scahill had options available, the lone pitcher to have that among those considered on the bubble of losing their spot on the major league decision. The trust the team places on Scahill means a lot to him.
“It just shows they have confidence in the ability that I can get the job done,” Scahill said. “It was a hard decision for them and it’s part of the game. Liz is a great teammate, a great pitcher and he’s going to be missed in this clubhouse but I know he’ll catch on somewhere.”
Bottom of the ninth:
Scahill as fans are starting to know is a Chicago Blackhawks fan. Game six is tonight and he hopes to be able to watch from the plane. If they lose however the jersey will get packed up and the wait for next hockey season will begin.”
The Pirates five game winning streak ties a season high… The team’s starting pitching during the streak has a 5-0 record with a 1.06 ERA… In six afternoon games at PNC Park this season, the Pirates are hitting .295 while scoring 36 runs… The Pirates are 7-3 this season in games Chris Stewart has started.
Photo credit: USA Today
