Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies: A Statistical Showdown

Pitching Matchup

Pittsburgh Pirates

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Key Players:

  

  • Bryan Reynolds (.312 BA, 18 HR, 62 RBI)
  • Ke'Bryan Hayes (.288 BA, 15 HR, 65 RBI)
  • Jack Suwinski (.228 BA, 17 HR, 49 RBI)

• Strengths: The Pirates have a solid offense, led by Reynolds and Hayes

  • They rank 15th in the MLB in runs per game
  • They are tied for 10th in the MLB in home runs

Philadelphia Phillies

• Key Players:

  • Bryce Harper (.318 BA, 25 HR, 76 RBI)
  • Kyle Schwarber (.284 BA, 35 HR, 81 RBI)
  • J.T. Realmuto (.273 BA, 18 HR, 61 RBI)

• Strengths: The Phillies have one of the most powerful offenses in the MLB

  • They rank 5th in the MLB in runs per game
  • They lead the MLB in home runs

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!