The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8, 17-9 RL, 12-13-1 O/U) and the Washington Nationals (9-15, 15-9 RL, 10-12-2 O/U) meet in the nightcap of Saturday's DH. The Pirates will give the starting nod to Vince Velasquez. The Nationals send Chad Kuhl to the hill. The Pirates won last year's season series 4-3.
Vince Velasquez will take the mound for the sixth time of the year on Saturday. Velasquez was brilliant in his previous start, completing seven shutout innings against the Reds, striking out ten batters in a 2-0 win. The veteran has struggled in recent years but has rebounded nicely this year, posting a 3.76 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP accompanied by a 3-2 record in 26.1 innings pitched. Velasquez has struggled against the Nats, going 2-2 with a 5.13 ERA in 47.1 career innings.
Pittsburgh is enjoying one of their best starts to a season in a long time and is battling atop the NL Central. The squad is playing with confidence. They have won three consecutive series after earning a series win against the Dodgers this week. The Pirates have won three of their last four road games entering Friday night.
Connor Joe bomb ?? pic.twitter.com/dTwQH7K524
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 27, 2023
Carlos Santana is another veteran that was added in the offseason providing steady offense, recording at least one base hit in nine of his last ten games. The 37-year-old first baseman has 13 RBIs accompanied by a .754 OPS. Santana hit a solid .286 against the Nationals last season.
Pittsburgh continues to deliver at the plate and is now posting an average of 5.08 runs per game, ranking them eighth. The pitching staff has accrued a 3.60 team ERA, placing them eighth.