The Pittsburgh Pirates return home for the start of a seven game homestand, taking on the Cincinnati Reds tonight at 6:35 PM. The Pirates played the Reds to open the season, dropping the series 2-1.
The two teams will play a four game series this weekend. Cincinnati has struggled on the road, with a 1-5 record thus far. The Pirates, meanwhile, are returning home off a 5-2 road trip, with a .500 record at PNC Park. I highlighted their road success thus far as one of three signs that they might be a good team.
PIRATES VS REDS
Game Time: 6:35 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Roansy Contreras (1-1, 6.00)
Reds Starter: Luke Weaver (0-0, 0.00)
Pirates Lineups:
Feels good to be home.
Reds Lineups:
Spence is back‼️
Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/hjYmPPYdQR
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 20, 2023
On the minor league side, J.C. Flowers bailed out Indianapolis yesterday with a few relief innings early in the game. Anthony Murphy wrote about the versatility that Flowers has shown out of the bullpen.
Pirates Prospects Daily: J.C. Flowers Showing Versatility Out of the Bullpen
INDIANAPOLIS AT MEMPHIS
Game Time: 7:45 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBAWith Ji-Man Choi expected to miss eight weeks, it’s a good time to focus on Malcom Nunez. The first base prospect has a .596 OPS on the season with Indianapolis, but does have two home runs in his last three games. The Pirates aren’t in desperate need of first base help, having Carlos Santana and Connor Joe on the roster. Still, we’ve seen how depth can be fleeting. It’s better to have Nunez hitting, just in case.
ALTOONA VS BOWIE
Game Time: 6:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Jared Jones (0-1, 3.12)Jared Jones has one of the best arms in the system. He’s also dealt with control problems in his young career. This makes sense, as Jones is still a raw arm. He was a two-way player out of high school, and has only been a full-time pitcher the last two seasons. This year he has a 3.12 ERA, but a 16.2% walk rate in Altoona. His stuff is so good that he will get away with control problems. This will be a key thing to watch in his game at this level.
GREENSBORO VS GREENVILLE
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: Bubba Chandler, RHP (0-0, 6.43)When the Pirates moved Bubba Chandler to the mound full-time, they were encouraged by him filling up the strike zone more often. Chandler has a 17.6% walk rate in his first two starts in High-A, and will make his first start at home in Greensboro tonight. I mentioned above that Jared Jones has little experience as a full-time pitcher. This year is the first year ever that Chandler will be a full-time pitcher. I’d expect some rapid improvements to his game by the end of this season, with the singular focus.
BRADENTON VS DAYTONA
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBAThe Pirates selected Tres Gonzalez in the fifth round last year out of Georgia Tech. I am a bit surprised that the outfielder is starting the season in Bradenton. I feel that might be an early-season assignment, impacted by the trio of Hudson Head, Sammy Siani, and Jase Bowen in Greensboro. Gonzalez could move up to the next level by June if one of those three clears a spot. So far, Gonzalez is off to a great start at the plate, hitting for a .353 average with an .877 OPS.
