Pittsburgh's 26% strikeout rate and lowly .607 OPS make them one of the worst teams in MLB vs. lefties. With a dipping swinging strike rate, David Peterson has recorded a 6th strikeout in just 3/7 starts, but one miss was at five, and a matchup like this could help provide some positive regression. He's better against lefties and gets unlucky facing a lineup full of righties tonight, but there should be some less experienced bats in this Pirates order thanks to injuries/matchup, so that could be an equalizer. Peterson's only pitch that ranks above average on Stuff+ is the slider (106), and it's relied upon most for his punch outs. It's a pitch this lineup has struck out on and hasn't found much success against.
Flores went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and six total RBI in Thursday's 13-1 win over Miami.
Ashcraft (12-5) earned the win in a complete game Thursday against the Marlins, allowing a run on three hits and a walk. He struck out 10.
Devenski signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Tuesday and was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Clifford (undisclosed) has gone 0-for-7 with one walk, one RBI and one run in two games for Triple-A Syracuse since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Sunday.
The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Pirates placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left hip inflammation.
Simon is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.
Rodriguez (hip) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.
