Today marks the 21st consecutive day of publishing articles since this site has returned. I’ve published over 50 articles on this site since bringing it back in mid-March. On Wednesday, I had my first day off.
I’ve taken days off in the previous three weeks, as well as the month leading up to articles returning, as I set up the new site. This was different. This was a day I had planned as an off day, rather than a day where I felt off and decided not to work. I was able to take off yesterday due to being ahead with my writing schedule.
That didn’t stop me from watching the Pirates game. This team is fun to watch, even if they had their own type of off day on Wednesday, leading to their first loss of the season.
Mitch Keller gave up five runs, four earned, in 5.1 innings of work. Hunter Stratton pitched a scoreless inning, and Josh Fleming added 1.2 scoreless frames with a good amount of swing and miss. The offense couldn’t work a comeback this time around.
There were two points where it looked promising for the Pirates. In the second inning, Michael A. Taylor knocked in two batters with an RBI single. Keller gave up four runs in the bottom of the second. In the sixth inning, Jack Suwinski homered, cutting the lead to one. Keller gave up another run in the bottom half, before being removed.
Outside of Taylor and Suwinski, the latter picking up two hits, the only other Pirate to record a hit on the night was Andrew McCutchen.
It was an off day for the Pirates, based on what we’ve seen so far this year. They’ll get a chance to take the series from the Nationals tomorrow afternoon, with Martin Perez on the mound.
STATCAST HEROES
Tonight’s game leaders. STATS
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
Here’s that home run from Jack Suwinski, which momentarily brought the Pirates back in the game.
Jack attack 🫡 pic.twitter.com/rqpZiT7Uzb
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 4, 2024
ROSTER MOVES
Joey Bart was added to the active roster, replacing Jason Delay, who was placed on the 10-day IL.
PROSPECT WATCH
Indianapolis was postponed, leaving no minor league games to recap.
TODAY: PIRATES (5-1) AT NATIONALS (2-3)
Game Time: 4:05 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Martin Perez, LHP (0-0, 2.08)
Nationals Starter: Josiah Gray, RHP (0-1, 15.75)
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
The latest Statcast Heroes looks at the leaders in the system from the first week of games.
Statcast Heroes: A Surprising Pirates Offense and Whiffs From Indianapolis
Subscribe to Pirates Prospects Daily below for free, and get these Pittsburgh Pirates updates delivered to your inbox.
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
**2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Top 50 Tiered Rankings Version 1.0
The top 50 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, plus a few more, separated into tiered rankings to give you an idea of who could be starters and who could be depth.
**Indianapolis Will Provide Paul Skenes and Depth For the Pirates in 2024
Paul Skenes leads a group of prospects in Triple-A who will provide the Pirates with depth throughout the 2024 season.
**Altoona Features the Best Prospect Group in the Pirates System in 2024
The best prospect group, from the start of the year through the end of the year, will be found in Altoona.
**Greensboro is Loaded With Hitting Talent At the Start of the 2024 Season
The hitters at the top of the Greensboro prospect group will have fun hitting in that home park with zero outfield space.
**Bradenton Has One of The Best Upside Prospect Groups in Years
There’s a group of high upside players making their way to full-season ball, and it could be one of the best Single-A groups in years for the Pirates.
**Five Players in Rookie Ball Who You Should Watch in the Pirates System
Five players in rookie ball who stand out as some of the most promising options in the entire Pirates system.
SONG OF THE DAY
