Bubba Chandler was brilliant last time out, tossing 6.1 scoreless innings vs. the Yankees. I like his matchup with the visiting Diamondbacks. While Brandon Pfaadt has been a revelation since returning from the minors, this is a difficult matchup. He pitches to a ton of contact and the PiratesтАЩ offense should take advantage.
Brandon Pfaadt has been excellent since returning from injury, winning all five of his starts. The Pirates have won five of the last six meetings against Arizona and have also taken the last three matchups in Pittsburgh. Bubba Chandler has been one of the weaker starters for the Pirates this season, posting a 4.62 ERA at home. While Pittsburgh has been one of the stronger home offenses against right-handed pitching, Arizona has been swinging the bats well, averaging just over six runs per game against right-handers over its last 10 games.
Our only 5.5 on the board, and I wouldn't play lower. Brandon Pfaadt has been Arizona's best pitcher of late, allowing two earned or fewer in five straight. Not many Pirates have seen him career, and the Bucs are still pretty thinned out in the lineup with the likes of Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz on the IL. Pittsburgh rookie pitcher Bubba Chandler has been up-and-won but allowed two earned over five at Arizona in early May. If he can manage that again, we should be fine. Not overly crazy hitting conditions at PNC Park.
Brandon Pfaadt was sent down to the minors in early June and came back and hasn't lost since. That's five starts and five wins, with him getting credit for the wins as well. Whatever he worked on in the minors turned out to be good for business, and it also turned the Diamondbacks season around. But the Pirates won last night to make it three straight over the Diamondbacks and five of their last six meetings. Their records are now identical at 55-52 on the season with both teams tied for the last wild card slot. The last eight meetings have stayed under the total, and Bubba Chandler has been outstanding in his last two games, allowing only two earned runs. The under.
Gonzales (face) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Marte (knee) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.
Valdez went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Friday against the Red Sox.
Reynolds went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Friday against the Red Sox.
Flores went 3-for-4 wit ha home run and two RBI in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.
Montgomery recorded his fourth save of the season in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox, striking out the only batter he faced.
Chandler (6-8) picked up the win in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.
Moreno went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 2-0 win over Atlanta.
Perdomo went 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 2-0 win over Atlanta.
