The Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers will take the field on Wednesday at Comerica Park. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh (22-19 SU and 22-19 RL) is starting left-hander Rich Hill in game two of the two-game series. The 19-year veteran is 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in eight outings this season.
Detroit (18-21 SU and 22-17 RL) is countering with lefty Eduardo Rodriguez in the series finale. The 30-year-old is 4-2 with a 1.57 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in eight starts this year.
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Pittsburgh has cooled off a bit but is still three games over .500 and just 1.5 games out of first place in the NL Central. Will the Pirates remain contenders in the NL playoff race?
Pittsburgh averages 4.29 runs per game (19th) and hits .240 (17th) with a .723 OPS (14th). It's hit 40 home runs (23rd) and stolen 50 bags (1st) in 2023. The Pirates' pitching staff has compiled a 3.76 ERA (9th) and a 1.34 WHIP (19th) with 21 quality starts.
LET'S GO CO JOE! pic.twitter.com/4KyXqFXzhV
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 13, 2023
Hill takes the mound for Pittsburgh in the series finale. The southpaw only lasted 3.2 innings in his last start vs. Colorado, surrendering one earned run on three hits and four walks. Hill, who has a 36:13 K:BB ratio in 2023, is 4-0 with a 4.19 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 19 career appearances against the Tigers.