Pirates Final Home Series of 2020 Comes vs. Cubs: What to Expect
For the Pirates, PNC Park has been sort of a safe haven for the team this season. Of their 15 wins this season, ten of them have come at home, including the team's only sweep of the year when they beat the Milwaukee Brewers. Today marks the start of the final home series of the year for the Pirates, and it won't be easy as they have a date with the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs. The Pirate's last series against the Cubs came earlier this month when they lost two out of three games at PNC Park. However, the series spelled a lot of excitement as Ke'Bryan Hayes made his debut in the opening game of the series.
However, this time around all the buzz and hoopla has faded away and the Cubs focus has shifted solely to the NL Central pennant, and the playoff race. The Cubs currently have a 3.5 game lead over the Cincinnati Reds with a week left in the season and need a combination of two wins or two Cincinnati Red losses to clinch the National League Central title. The Pirates could put a stop to that with a strong series against the Cubs and allow the Reds to take the National League Central crown. There is still a lot to be figured out in the National League playoff picture, and the Pirates could play a large role in determining some key first-round matchups. Here is what to expect as the Pirates and Cubs kick off the final series of the year at PNC Park.
Starting Pitching Stay Strong
If there has been one aspect of the team that has been great over the last five days, it has been the team's starting pitching. Steven Brault got things started in the series opener with the St. Louis Cardinals throwing his first-ever complete game and it has trickled on down through the rest of the rotation. Chad Kuhl, Mitch Keller, and Joe Musgrove all turned in some of their best starts of the season during this past week. Over the past five games, the starters have combined to throw 30.1 innings of work and have produced a 2.07 ERA. Every starting pitcher has lasted at least six innings in their start, with the exception of Trevor Williams who gave up five of his starter's seven earned runs these last five games. However, the one common theme with all these great starts is a lack of run support.
Even though the offense hasn't been getting it done as of late, it is imperative that the starters keep throwing well over these final two series of the season. The Pirates pitching staff, and especially the starters, have been hampered by injury all season long. It started before the season began with the loss of both Jameson Taillon and Chirs Archer, and continued throughout the year with Joe Musgrove and Mitch Keller both spending time on the shelf. Now that everyone who started the abbreviated season is back and healthy, it is time for them to show what they can provide next season.
The Chicago Cubs don't usually prove an easy customer for pitchers, but lately, they have been struggling to score runs. The Cubs have combined to score just two runs over their last three games dropping two of three to the Twins. For JT Brubaker and company, it is a chance to continue their 12 inning scoreless streak and give the Pirates a chance to steal some wins. Brubaker, the only starter who didn't pitch against the Cardinals, will start things off as he looks to gain some momentum with two more starts to go. He will be followed by Steven Brault, Trevor Williams, and Chad Kuhl who are all looking to end their seasons on a high note.
Bullpen Needs to Improve
We will stick along the lines of pitching for today's what to expect and shift from the starters to the bullpen. While the starters have been on fire over the last five games, the bullpen has been quite the opposite. Over their last five games, the bullpen has logged 9.2 innings of work and has an ERA of 6.52. Once the starting pitchers come out of the game, the bullpen just hasn't seemed to be able to hold a lead as of late. They have also seen their share of injuries, with Nick Burdi, Kyle Crick, and Michael Feliz all on the IL, but their replacements aren't stepping up and getting the job done. It is imperative that this group finds a way to improve against a powerful Cubs lineup.
It all starts from the bottom in closer Richard Rodriguez, who right now is the leader of the Pirates bullpen. Rodriguez has been one of the few bright spots in the bullpen as of late and hasn't been scored upon in the month of September. After injuries to Burdi and Keone Kela, Rodriguez has stepped up and been a savior to the back-end of the bullpen. He is three out of four in save opportunities and is helping his case to be in competition for the closer's role next season. Rodriguez and Chris Stratton have been the two most reliable relievers for the Pirates this season, and these two are going to have to lead the group to the end of the season.
The Pirates might consider moving these two around and using them in the highest pressure situations rather than traditional roles. Derek Shelton has started doing this with Chris Stratton, bringing him in with runners on to get the Pirates out of jams. Stratton has been one of Pittsburgh's most reliable relievers this season, especially in long-relief situations. Aside from his last appearance against the Cardinals where he gave up a towering three-run home run. He has the lowest ERA among guys who have been in the bullpen all season (3.04) and has logged the most innings pitched (26.2). It will be up to both Stratton and Rodriguez to lead the bullpen during the final week of the season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (15-38) and Chicago Cubs (31-22) kick-off their four-game series at PNC Park tonight with first pitch at 7:05 pm. JT Brubaker (1-2, 4.79) takes the mound for the Pirates looking for a strong end to his season against Jon Lester (2-2, 4.91) for the Cubs. You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet or listen on 93.7 The Fan as the Pirates look to defend their turf for the final time during the 2020 season.
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