This weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates capitalized on an opportunity to get out of a huge slump, taking three of four from the Los Angeles Dodgers. With only a few series left before the All-Star break, the Bucs look to continue this success as they travel to the west coast to take on the Seattle Mariners in a short two game set at Safeco Field.
The Pirates (37-40) enter this series trailing the Chicago Cubs by 12.5 games in the National League Central race. However, they sit 4.5 games behind the Dodgers and Miami Marlins for the second Wild Card spot. The Mariners (38-38), like the Pirates, sit in third place in their division, while trailing by 2.5 games in the American League Wild Card race.
As always, there are plenty of matchups to watch in this short two game series. However, the rarity of these matchups are what make them so intriguing
3.) David Freese vs Hisashi Iwakuma
Despite compiling a .211 average over the last seven games, David Freese has been one of the Pirates biggest run producers, driving in six runs during that span. The 33-year old, who is hitting .285 with six home runs and 30 RBI’s this season, has an excellent opportunity to continue his success in the next two days.
Freese, who played in the AL when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, is one of a few players on the Pirates roster that has faced the Mariners in his career. In fact, Freese has had particular success against Tuesday’s starter, Hisashi Iwakuma.
In his career against Iwakuma, Freese is 5-for-21 (.238) with two home runs, three RBI’s and seven strikeouts against the Mariners righty, who will be facing the Pirates for the very first time.
This season has been somewhat of a down year for Iwakuma, who has put up big numbers since entering the league in 2012. This year, the 35-year old is 6-6 with a 4.45 ERA in 15 starts. Iwakuma does generally strike out a lot of guys, which could cause Freese trouble, but he also has had trouble allowing the long ball. In five major league seasons, Iwakuma has allowed 97 home runs and this season he has allowed 17, which ties for the eighth most in baseball.
With Iwakuma’s struggles, his knack for allowing the long ball and Freese’s recent run producing success, this matchup is definitely one to keep an eye on. If Freese is in the lineup, expect him to try to square up on a couple of pitches and try to send yet another one out of the yard against Iwakuma at Safeco.
2.) Jon Niese vs Robinson Cano
It has been an up and down first year in Pittsburgh for Jon Niese. After a month of May in which he went 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA, Niese has struggled immensely in the month of June, compiling a 1-3 record with a 5.97 ERA in five starts. Niese has especially struggled in his last three starts, allowing 17 earned runs on 24 hits in 16.2 combined innings.
Tuesday, Niese faces the Seattle Mariners for the second time in his career. He will most likely look to have more success than he did in his previous start in Seattle. On July 21, 2014, Niese, a member of the New York Mets at the time, gave up four earned runs on 11 hits while walking two and striking out six in six innings.
One Mariners player in particular that Niese does have some experience against is Robinson Cano. Dating back to when Niese was with the Mets and Cano was with the Yankees, the two faced each other often in the “Subway Series.” However, they haven’t met since 2014.
In his career against Niese, Cano is 4-for-15 (.267) with one double and one RBI, but has struck out five times.
Cano has been tremendous this season, hitting .297 with 19 home runs and 53 RBI’s in 76 games. Cano is already two home runs and 26 RBI’s shy of his totals from last season and we have still yet to reach the all star break. The 33-year old is always a threat to get on base and even send one out of the park, but this matchup may favor the Pirates left hander.
Despite his high season average, Cano is only hitting .240 against lefties compared to a .335 clip against right handers. The Mariners may choose to sit Cano against a lefty, but it is unlikely since he is their best hitter.
Niece’s struggles have been evident in his last few starts, but if he can continue his recent success against Cano, at least he takes the bat out of arguably their best hitter.
1.) Jordy Mercer vs Wade Miley
Some may not notice this, but Jordy Mercer has been flying under the radar as one of the Pirates best hitters as of late. In his last 15 games, Mercer is hitting at a .319/.373/.468 clip with two home runs, five RBI’s and five runs scored.
Mercer will also find himself in a favorable matchup tomorrow night against Seattle’s Wade Miley, a left hander who has an ERA of 5.28 this season.
Mercer, who is 3-for-6 with one RBI in his career against Miley, is hitting .304 against left handers with three of his four home runs this season coming off of southpaws.
With Miley on the mound, Mercer will also likely hit out of the leadoff spot, which may be a good thing as well. In 16 games hitting out of the leadoff spot, Mercer is hitting .328 with two home runs, five doubles, four RBI’s, 11 runs scored and eight walks.
Mercer has been a pleasant surprise offensively this season. His defense has been known to be superb in the past, but his bat has been doing some stellar work in 2016. With an inconsistent pitcher like Miley on the mound, we may see more offensive genius from the Pirates shortstop. It is a favorable matchup for Mercer and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his impressive hot streak.
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