The Pittsburgh Pirates go for the sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals this morning. A win would also give the team their fifth in a row, following a dip below .500 on May 29th. That was the first time this season the Pirates had dropped below .500 since April 2nd, the third game of the season.
This team continues to show resolve. They lost 11 of 12 games around the first half of May, but they’ve also been capable of winning streaks. This is the fourth time this year they’ve been on a 4+ game winning streak.
The game today is streaming on Peacock, which I previously only used to stream The Office episodes I had completely memorized, plus classic monster movies in October. You can’t watch TV in 2023 without exponential brainpower to remember where all of your favorite content is located.
Speaking of which, we launched this new feature yesterday to allow you a place to follow all of the daily Pirates games in one spot. Read more about the new article here.
PIRATES (30-27) VS CARDINALS
Game Time: 11:35 AM EST
Pirates Starter: Rich Hill (4-5, 4.76)
Cardinals Starter: Miles Mikolas (4-1, 3.75)
Pirates Lineups:
Bright and early.
📺 Peacock
📷 93.7 The Fan | The PRN#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/D4gzJbhRxS— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 4, 2023
Cardinals Lineups:
Luken Baker's debut is coming to you shortly! pic.twitter.com/jn9On0ef39
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 4, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (27-28) VS TOLEDO
Game Time: 1:35 PM EST
Projected Starter: Kent Emanuel, LHP (3-1, 7.26)
Latest Features:
5/26: Potential Plan For Jared Triolo Becoming More Clear
5/18: The Bat Is Ready For Endy Rodriguez, But One Question Remains
ALTOONA (26-22) VS BIMGHAMPTON
Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Aaron Shortridge, RHP (3-2, 4.99)
Latest Features:
6/1: Matt Gorski Displays Athleticism And Versatility
5/25: Sean Sullivan Continues To Thrive In Altoona
GREENSBORO (25-23) AT WINSTON-SALEM
Game Time: 2:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
6/4: Braxton Ashcraft Showing Velocity and Control in Return From Tommy John
6/2: Abrahan Gutierrez Hitting Ground Running Returning From Injury
5/26: Anthony Solometo Faces Two Top 100 Prospects In Greensboro
BRADENTON (26-24) AT TAMPA
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
6/3: Thomas Harrington Displayed Swing and Miss Secondary in Bradenton
5/30: With May Ending, Shalin Polanco Heading In Right Direction
5/27: Luis Peralta Using Sinker In Less Conventional Way
DAILY PIRATES NEWS
In today’s P2Daily update, Anthony Murphy looks at how Braxton Ashcraft is showing velocity and control in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Pirates Prospects Daily: Braxton Ashcraft Showing Velocity and Control in Return From Tommy John
The Pirates have selected the contract of Chase De Jong, and optioned Yerry De Los Santos to Triple-A. That makes sense, considering the bullpen usage yesterday.
I’ll have a column this afternoon, after all of the games. Spoiler alert: It will be about Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez. If you missed it, check out Ethan Hullihen’s article at the Super Two “deadline.”
More Recent Pirates Features
6/2: Pirates Business: Examining the Super Two “Deadline”
5/31: Can Rodolfo Castro Be More Than A Platoon Player?
5/28: Williams: Three Point Sixteen Wins Per Week
PIRATES RECAP
Check back at the end of the night for all of the daily results throughout the system, or, join the discussion in the comments if you’re following Live.
Final Score: Pirates 2, Cardinals 1
Player of the Game: Rich Hill, LHP (6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR)
Recap: One day after using seven relievers in a win, the Pirates got exactly the start they needed from Rich Hill. The lefty carried a shutout into the seventh inning, armed with a two run lead from the first frame.
The Pirates got on the board through small ball. Back-to-back singles by Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski got things going with one out. Ke’Bryan Hayes followed with an infield single to load the bases. Ji-Hwan Bae put the Pirates on the board with a line drive single to center field, bringing in the only two runs of the game.
That was enough for Hill, who didn’t exactly have a clean outing, but seemed to settle into a groove around the fourth inning. After issuing a leadoff walk to start the frame, Hill followed up by setting down the next 11 batters. The streak carried him into the seventh inning for the second time this year, and was broken by a two-out home run by Andrew Knizner. Hill was removed after an 0-2 single to Tommy Edman.
Once again, the bullpen was there to shut things down. Dauri Moreta came on in the fireman role he’s had success in all season, and struck out Paul Goldschmidt swinging. Yohan Ramirez took over in the eighth and set the middle of the Cardinals order down. David Bednar was pitching for his third consecutive day for the first time, and didn’t seem to be bothered. He ended the game by getting Knizner swinging on a 97 MPH fastball up and inside, after two sliders away to set up the strikeout and the Pirates’ sweep.
The Pirates are now 31-27 and tied for first place in the NL Central with the Brewers, who are in Cincinnati this afternoon.
-Tim Williams
PIRATES PROSPECT WATCH
By John Dreker
TRIPLE-A: INDIANAPOLIS
Final Score: Indianapolis 7, Toledo 0
Player of the Game: Kent Emanuel 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO
Recap:
Kent Emanuel had an impressive outing, tossed six shutout innings on three hits, no walks and five strikeouts. That helped Indianapolis to a 7-0 victory. He had a 7.26 ERA over 31 innings coming into the day.
Carmen Mlodzinski, Eli Villalobos and Ryan Borucki each tossed a scoreless frame to finish the game.
Miguel Andujar, Canaan Smith-Njigba and Aaron Shackelford each drove in two runs. Andujar collected his 13th double.
Jared Triolo had a triple, two walks and three runs scored.
Ryan Vilade had two hits, including a triple.
Travis Swaggerty went 0-for-4. Nick Gonzales went 0-for-3 with a walk.
Newly-acquired Alika Williams went 0-for-3 with an error in his debut.
DOUBLE-A: ALTOONA
Final Score: Altoona 6, Binghamton 4
Player of the Game: Matt Gorski 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Recap:
Altoona had a rough start from Aaron Shortridge, but the bullpen picked him up over the rest of the game for the 6-4 win. He allowed three runs over 3.1 innings, giving him a 5.55 ERA in 47 innings.
Braeden Ogle, Juan Minaya, Nick Dombkowski and Bear Bellomy combined for 4.2 shutout innings. Tyler Samaniego allowed a harmless run in the ninth.
Matt Gorski hit his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot in the first. He had two RBIs, as did Mason Martin and Andres Alvarez. Gorski scored two runs and drew a walk. Alvarez hit his tenth double.
HIGH-A: GREENSBORO
Final Score: Greensboro 5, Winston-Salem 4
Player of the Game: Jase Bowen, 1-for-4, HR, 4 RBI
Recap:
Jase Bowen hit a third inning grand slam that provided most of the offense in Greensboro’s 5-4 win. The homer is his tenth of the season. Shawn Ross homered for the other run, his first of the season.
Will Matthiessen had two hits. Tsung-Che Cheng drew two walks.
Po-Yu Chen had a nice start, going five innings on one run, three hits, three walks and four strikeouts. He now has a 4.66 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 46.1 innings.
Grant Ford tossed a scoreless sixth. Dante Mendoza allowed a run in his two innings. Eddy Yean gave up two runs in the ninth before Cy Neilson recorded the final two outs for his fifth save.
SINGLE-A: BRADENTON
Final Score: Bradenton 6, Tampa 2
Player of the Game: Rodolfo Nolasco 3-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB
Recap:
Bradenton won 6-2 on Sunday to move to 27-24 on the season. Rodolfo Nolasco was our Player of the Game yesterday. He repeated that honor today, collecting three singles and two walks in five trips to the plate. He’s now up to an .856 OPS for the season.
Jack Brannigan hit his first homer, to go along with a single and a walk.
Shalin Polanco hit his eighth homer, giving him a .771 OPS for the season, despite a low .231 average.
Termarr Johnson went 1-for-5 with his sixth double.
Deivis Nadal and Luis Hernandez each had two hits.
On the pitching side, Dominic Perachi allowed two runs over five innings, with no walks and seven strikeouts.
Tyler Chatwood, Luis Peralta and Ryan Harbin retired the final 12 batters in order, with Harbin taking the final two frames to lower him to a 1.23 ERA.
Recap posted. That was exactly what the Pirates needed from Rich Hill.
Considering the circumstances and opponent, I’d say it’s his best outing as a Pirate.
Job well done Mr. Mountain.
Yes, very impressive when a guy knows he needs to go deep into a game and is able to do it.
The Pirates and their 4 full season MiLB Affiliates are .500 or better.
From AAA
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?gamePk=723582
From Low A
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?gamePk=729663
Kent Emanuel gets right and the Pirates may have plucked a peach off the Tree of Damaged Pitchers
According to Stumpf, Davis to Indy.
wonder where they´ll trade Delay?
Hopefully Gutierrez will be heading to Altoona before long.
Keep it all moving!
I have to believe the Cardinals thought they would come in and get at least 2 of 3 without a problem. Now I believe they are leaving shell-shocked!
Haha, now they’re going to Texas. Good luck with that.
Texas is capable of shellacking any opponent and they are doing it regularly.
Now heres to hoping the next series should be AT LEAST 2 of 3
Oakland is so bad we should win 4 of 3.
Yeah when the entire scouting report consist of “don’t run on Laureano’s arm in right” you hope for a sweep. I watched the highlights (Miami’s anyway) last night and the kid Ruiz playing center for Oakland plays really shallow and they just kept roping balls over his head and he never moved back, lol. Good coaching!
I was listening to the radio broadcast for the pregame on Friday and Walker was saying the next two series were a good chance to grab four wins, and I thought yes that’s a good goal and I’d be happy with that. That goalpost has been moved slightly.
Moreta, Ramirez, Hernandez, Perdomo, Yerry (assuming he’ll be back soon), Ortiz, Ro–I can’t recall us having as strong of a pitching contingent from the DR. Talent is talent, but it would seem to be a healthy situation to have a group of this size in terms of players feeling comfortable.
And Newman is playing pretty well for the Reds but Moreta is making a significant impact on our season.
I said earlier on another blurb that Moreta and Newman are both at +0.4 fWAR so a plus for both ballclubs. The Pirates had to move Newman to peel away the covering over Castro, Bae, and Marcano, who continue to excel.
A look at Statcast surprised me that the Pirates have 6 hitters inside the top 103 of MLB hitters who hit the ball 95 mph + on BBE.
Reynolds 95 of 172, 54.7%, 15th
Hayes 82 of 172, 47.7%, 46th
Castro 43 of 97, 44.3%, 82nd
Joe 48 of 110, 43.6%, 95th
McCutchen 60 of 139, 43.2%, 101st
Suwinski 40 of 93, 43%, 103rd
Next would be Santana at 33.3%, 207th. Keep making strong contact and good things are bound to happen. Really glad to see KeBryan Hayes way up there, and he is getting more lift as the season progresses.
Well, it was only the last place Cards, but a sweep is always nice. 😉
Not to often in baseball history has that description been used in June for the Cards. Nice to see
Well played Sir!
Love it when a team does what they’re supposed to do.
Love crushing da Birds!
As tone deaf as BC’s comments were a week ago, even he’s gotta realize this NL Central is so weak, it’s ours for the taking. Hoping he gets into the right mindset pretty dam soon.
Opportunities like this, right after losing 100 games, don’t come along often. Gotta jump on it with two feet.
I didn’t see BC’s comments, what did he say? Also…I can’t decide on what I want them to do come deadline time. Help on some fringe areas or should they take big swings?
Part of me can’t help but think they should take some big cuts on players with term. But I doubt they will.
Preach it!
It’s an awesome day to be a Bucs fan! Y’all have a great Sunday afternoon!!!!😊
Wow.. 1st sweep against the Cards since 2018?? 🫥
Whooo!
Bednar for Mayor! Bednar for President!
Sweeeeeep! Without Nootbar, the Cards stood no chance.
They tried to ‘Luken Baker’ the Bucs’
Raise it!
5 in a row….raise it!
Bust out them brooms baby! 🏴☠️
Wow!
Bednar pitching 3 games in a row?? 😬😬😬
And Joe just scared the poop out of me.
Nice!!!! Time for some insurance!
Score some dang runs now! 😅
And stop swinging at pitched out of the zone
Two innings of walking on egg shells, let’s see what Shelton does.
First move Ramirez v Gorman, would prefer a lefty here……
Well done!
Moreta…….
What an awesome GIF!
His GIF game is on fire.
Big Bank is definitely in the circle of trust. Well done young man!
Good job by Hedges there, threw 4 fastball, one slider. Goldsmith was surely sitting slider.
I keep waiting for Moreta to regress, so glad he hasn’t!
How long can he keep it up? Holderman had some reputation coming in. Hernandez was regarded well enough to use Rule 5. Moreta and Ramirez have come out of nowhere.
Shhhhhhhhsssssssshhhhhhhh!!! No Jinxing allowed!!
Moreta with a great pose after that strikeout. Dude is a character.🤣
Good move by Shelton. Moreta has been a beast for a while now.
Haven’t had an actual fireman for awhile now. Dude has been phenomenal coming in with baserunners.
Great bounce back outing by Mr. Mountain. 👏👏👏
Great job today Mr. Hill.
🙁🙁🙁 need to score more runs
It would be reaaally nice if Hill could go just one more inning, but at the same time it doesn’t feel safe with just 2 run lead.
He just doesn’t do more than 6 innings at this point in his career does he? Every time we try to squeeze a bit more out of him this year there are runs.
I’m just glad it was a homerun then a single. 🫠
Lots of hits, only 2 runs. I worry about the Cards making a late inning comeback.
With the bottom of the lineup, I could see him at least entering the inning. He went 100+ pitches and went into the 7th on 4/29. He could finish 7 today with under 100 pitches.
Need a few more runs for comfort thats for sure
Zach Plesac DFAd by the Guardians, change of scenery?
Would be great pickup to eval
Do the Pirates way, dish your fastball and only throw your breaking pitch.
We need a long reliever!
Babip is way up this year so could be due for some positive regression, certainly couldnt hurt considering our thin SP depth. I think he broke covid protocols bigtime (IIRC) during 2020 so would like to make sure hes a decent dude and not a head case first
Think rudy has had 5 risp today and stranded them all
I’m guessing that benching him against righties has hurt his confidence. I’m blaming Shelty.
10 hits and only 2 runs to show for it. 😐
They got Wainwright on the broadcast! Dishing it back and forth with Pujols. Again, Bob doing a great job. Complimented Wainwright’s career as a hitter. This is really cool! I’m kinda geeking out.
Wainwright seems like a good dude.
I thought the same thing. And you could see Pujols just cheesing in the booth as Wainwright told that sauna story.
Hayes has been 🔥🔥🔥
Getting him going changes the lineup in a big way.
Funny, everyone thinks Hayes has had a disastrous year and everyone seems just fine with Santana. Hayes’ OPS is now higher than Santana’s.
#trade for Pratto.
Probably because of the long-term extension? I still have high hopes for Hayes though. He will hit…
If he comes into his own offensively, the whole complexion of this offense changes.
Heck yeah, nice 5th Mr. Hill!
Rich looks like a dude that would chug a beer between innings.
I’d drink a few with him
Whos available in the pen today other than moreta?
Hernandez and moreta didnt throw two days in a row so in theory maybe they are?
Zas should also be available .
Need a few more runs if this is the case lol
Think Yohan has throw both days but only a few total pitches. Friday he only threw like 2-3 I think.
BRey needs to stroke this.
Cmon Tuc!
62 pitches for Hill through four. Best case Scenario: Hill pitches six, Bucs pick up a couple of insurance runs before DeJong takes over in the 7th.
Is DeJong back on the major league roster?
Yeah he came up and YDLS down
Why the abnormal start time today?
National broadcast on Peacock. They are trying to find an audience.
So they pick a people in church timeslot. 🤣
church?
If they’re gonna hold it, hold it at PNC.
Pretty cool, on peacock, the booth is Brendan Burke, Albert Pujols, and Bob Walk. Great idea, two former players / legends for both opposing teams. Really awesome listening to them. And Bob is really, not drooling over Pujols but just being very respectful and friendly. Nice dynamic.
Hayes OPS in this series so far is about 2000.
As a proud devout hayes supporter, I am loving it! If the city connect jerseys arent terrible, considering a purchase…
Nervous about them because I have such high hopes. So much culture and history they can use for influence in those jerseys!
100 bucks says it’s black and gold w the Clemente bridge across the front.
Safe bet there. Could play more into Clemente as well. Stars, rivers, so many options…
City skyline?
I dislike the Rockies’ one but imagining it with the Clemente bridge instead.. might look okay? 🤨
What is Castro thinking bunting with a runner at 2nd and 2 outs? Have to be smarter than that Roberto.
My guess is that he saw either 3b or 1b playing back
That’s hardly a good reason.