After a short two game series against the Seattle Mariners, the Pittsburgh Pirates play yet another interleague series, beginning a three game set against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Pirates (38-41) are inching just a little bit closer in the National League Wild Card race. The Bucs sit 13.5 games back in the NL Central race and trail the New York Mets by 3.5 games for the second Wild Card spot.
The Athletics (35-44) are not contending in the AL West division at the moment and sit 7.5 games back in the AL Wild Card hunt. The Athletics are 7-3 in their last ten games and are coming off of two consecutive series victories.
Like the Mariners series, this one will be an important one for the Pirates. It gives them an opportunity to go up against a struggling ballclub and gives fans a look at some matchups that they don’t get to see very often. Here are our three matchups to watch during this three game weekend series.
3.) David Freese vs Sonny Gray
David Freese is a guy to keep an eye on as he faces yet another former AL West foe. Freese, who played two seasons in the AL West, has played in his fair share of contests against the Athletics. In fact, the former Angel has played in 39 career games against Oakland, hitting .236 with one home run and 15 RBI’s. Freese is also hitting at a .286/.357/.333 clip in 17 career games at Oakland Coliseum.
In the opener of this three game set, the Athletics will send Sonny Gray to the mound. Compared to the last few seasons, Gray has had a down year. The 26-year old, who has been the topic of trade rumors this season, is 3-6 with a 5.03 ERA in 14 starts and 63 strikeouts in 78.2 innings. Despite the overall numbers, Gray has a 3.23 ERA in five June starts and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
With Gray being a right handed pitcher, it is likely that John Jaso will start at first base. However, Freese may get a start at third base, given that he has had success in the past against Gray.
In his career against Gray, Freese is 7-for-21 (.333) with one double, three RBI’s and a .391 On-Base Percentage. Freese’s .333 batting average also ranks him third amongst players with at least 20 career plate appearances against Gray.
Gray hasn’t pitched against the Pirates since he made his major league debut against the team in 2013. The right hander has limited experience against the Bucs, but Freese is a guy he is very familiar with. It will be interesting to see if Freese can continue his success or if Gray can put a stop to it.
2.) Jeff Locke vs Khris Davis
One of the most pleasant surprises for the Oakland Athletics this season has been the play of Khris Davis. The former Milwaukee Brewer is hitting .253 and leads the team with 19 home runs and 53 RBI’s in 71 games.
Davis, who has played in 40 career games against the Pirates, has more RBI’s (22) against the Bucs than any other team he has faced during his major league career.
One Pirates pitcher in particular that Davis has faced before is tonight’s starter, Jeff Locke. However, he hasn’t exactly had success against the Pirates southpaw. In his career against Locke, Davis is 4-for-23 (.174) with three doubles, three RBI’s and eight strikeouts.
This season, Locke has been inconsistent at times, but is coming off of back to back solid outings. In those two starts, Locke has given up one earned run on ten hits while surrendering zero walks and striking out six in 13.2 innings. Locke is 7-5 this season with a 5.12 ERA in 15 starts and will be making his second career start against the Athletics tonight.
Despite the familiarity between Davis and Locke, it is possible that Davis might not be in tonight’s lineup. The 28-year old, who is hitting .333 with three home runs in his last seven games, was held out of the lineup Wednesday with a bruised shoulder. If Davis, who is considered day-to-day, is in fact in the lineup, it is no secret that it would help the A’s. However, it may also favor Locke to face him once again.
1.) Chad Kuhl vs Rich Hill
When it comes to pitching matchups, Saturday’s is one that should excite fans of both teams. For the Pirates, Chad Kuhl makes his second career major league start and his first road start. The Athletics will counter by sending Rich Hill to the mound. Hill, a veteran pitcher who has resurrected his career, has established himself as one of the best stories of 2016.
Kuhl, a ninth round draft pick in 2013, made his major league debut on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 23-year old struggled a bit with command, allowing four walks, but was able to get out of a few jams. The rookie pitched five solid innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits (one home run) while striking out fiveKuhl isn’t exactly a top prospect like Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow, but he sure had the nation’s attention on Sunday night. He was able to beat Clayton Kershaw on national television and has an opportunity for another quality start on Saturday.
After signing a one year, $6 million contract in November, Hill has made a huge impact in Oakland. The 36-year old is 8-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 11 starts this season. However, Saturday marks his first start since May 29 when he suffered a left groin strain.
In his career against the Pirates, Hill is 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA in seven starts.
The Pirates have been strikeout prone this season, so it will be interesting to see Hill’s approach against them. Hill, a 2002 fourth round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs, has 74 strikeouts in 64 innings this season. He has also only surrendered two home runs and 24 walks, while holding opponents to a .207 batting average.
Saturday’s starters are the complete opposite of one another. One is just beginning his career, while another has revitalized his career, 14 years after being drafted. It will be interesting to see how Kuhl make improves in his second start and to see if Hill can return to his stellar form following his injury.
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