The Pittsburgh Pirates (8-5, 6-6 RL, 6-6 O/U) collide with the St. Louis Cardinals (5-8, 6-6 RL, 4-8 O/U) in the second of a three-game divisional series on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates will send Roansy Contreras to the mound. The Cardinals will reply with Steven Matz. The Cardinals won last year’s season series 13-6.
The Pirates will have Roansy Contreras make his third start of the season. Contreras was solid in his first start, limiting a good Red Sox offense to just one run on three hits in 5.2 innings. His second outing yielded a different outcome. He conceded seven runs on nine hits in only 2.1 innings against the Astros. The young starter had a promising 2022 season, amassing a 3.79 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP accompanied by a 5-5 record in 95 innings pitched. Contreras conceded 11 runs in 14.1 innings against the Cardinals last season. He has not allowed a home run in his two outings.
The Pirates are producing at the dish which is nice to see considering the struggles at the plate in recent years. Andrew McCutchen has been solid, posting a .324 average and a .968 OPS. The veteran outfielder recorded eight RBIs against the Cardinals last season. Oneil Cruz was placed on the injured list earlier this week.
JI HWAN BAE SAVES THE DAY! pic.twitter.com/5PXecq4PRk
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 12, 2023
Pittsburgh is in the early stages of a seven-game road trek. They swept the Red Sox at Fenway in their previous road series. It’s been an encouraging opening few weeks. They won two of three against the White Sox last weekend and lost two of three against the Astros this week.
The Pirates are averaging 4.31 runs per game, ranking them 22nd. The pitching staff has reported a 4.54 team ERA, placing them 17th.