After an off-day yesterday, the Pirates return from a 3-3 road trip and start a six-game homestand. Joe Block previews tonight’s opener.
The three newest Pirates may be in the lineup tonight. Bryan De La Cruz and Jalen Beeks played in the game against Houston on Wednesday. They will definitely be in uniform. Infielder Isaiah Kiner-Falefa is currently on the injured list and eligible to return after a rehab stint in the Blue Jays’ organization.
The Pirates start the weekend as the third team out of the final NL Wild Card, 2-and-a-half games behind the Diamondbacks. They’re a half-game behind the Cardinals and two in back of the Mets. The Bucs are also in third place in the NL Central, six games behind the Brewers.
The Pirates have one of the best minor league pitching pools in all of baseball, and yesterday, the team promoted one of their fastest rising stars from AA Altoona to AAA Indianapolis. Right-hander Thomas Harrington was drafted 36th overall with a 2022 competitive balance selection. He started this season with a rotator cuff injury but since his return, he’s gone 2-2 with a 2.24 ERA, striking out 74 and walking only 10 in 68-and-a-third innings. He’s expected to start tonight for Indy, which last night won their 10th straight game, 7-3 over Toledo.
ALTOONA
Altoona has won three straight games over Richmond. Justin Meis threw three innings of shutout relief in a 5-4, 10-inning win last night. Abrahan Guttierez brought home Tsung-Che Cheng with a walkoff sacrifice fly after the Curve had rallied from a 4-2 deficit with two runs in the 7th.
Bubba Chandler, will start for the Curve tonight in the fourth game of the series.
Comments