Pittsburgh Pirates Matchups to Watch: Miller Park Madness

For the second time in two weeks, the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to face off against the Milwaukee Brewers. This time, they travel to Miller Park to take on their National League Central division foes.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (52-48) have been stellar as of late, winning six of their last 10 games. The Bucs currently sit 8.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the division and two games back in the Wild Card race.

The Milwaukee Brewers (44-56) have had mixed success this season. The Brew Crew have won five of their last 10 and aren’t likely a team that will compete for a playoff berth this season. In fact, it is likely that they will be big time sellers by the time the Trade Deadline approaches on Monday. Despite the struggles, the Brewers are 27-25 when playing at home, while holding a 17-31 mark on the road.

Last week’s series between these two teams proved that there are plenty of matchups and storylines to watch for when they go head to head. Here are our three matchups to watch for this weekend’s three game set.

3.) Steven Brault vs Brewers in second MLB start

For the second time this season, Steven Brault will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. On July 5, Brault made his major league debut against the St Louis Cardinals, allowing one earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out five in four innings of work. Brault was effective in his debut, but it was cut short due to a pitch count that was at 82 through four frames.

Brault, who had a stint on the disabled list earlier this season, has been phenomenal at Triple-A Indianapolis, going 2-4 with a 2.15 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) this year. He has particularly been lights out in his last two starts for the Indians, pitching 12 scoreless innings and allowing three hits and striking out 16 in that span.

Tonight marks the first time Brault will face the Brewers line up and it will be interesting to see how he approaches it. It will be vital for Brault to throw strikes, induce ground balls and keep his pitch count low. If Brault’s first start, which was against a good St Louis team, is any indication of what we might see, then Brault should have an effective night against a struggling ball club.

2.) Jordy Mercer vs Chase Anderson

Last week, Chase Anderson made our list of matchups to watch as he geared up to face Josh Harrison. This week, he makes our list once again, this time against Jordy Mercer.

In his career against Anderson, Mercer is 5-for-6 (.833) with one double, two RBIs and one run scored. Anderson has been a pitcher who has had struggles this season, posting a 5-10 record with a 5.40 ERA in 19 starts.

In his last start against the Pirates, Anderson allowed three earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two in four innings of work. Anderson threw 86 pitches in that contest and the Bucs will hope to give him another short outing.

This season, Mercer has been one of the Pirates best offensive weapons, hitting .282 with six home runs and 36 RBIs in 42 games. Mercer has also been red hot since the all star break, hitting .375 with three doubles, five RBIs and two strikeouts in 11 games.

This particular matchup is definitely one to circle as the Pirates shortstop will look to continue recent hot streak and his success against Anderson tomorrow night.

1.) Matt Joyce vs Matt Garza

In 2009 and 2010, Matt Joyce and Matt Garza were teammates with the Tampa Bay Rays. Sunday, the familiar teammates and foes face off against each other.

Joyce, who has been a huge contributor for the Pirates this season, is 4-for-10 (.400) with one home run and four RBIs in his career against Garza.

Joyce has been stellar for the Bucs this season, sporting a .283 average with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. The veteran has served well in a bench role and has had huge games while playing in the outfield. Joyce has also been hot as of late, hitting .375 with two home runs and six RBIs in his last seven games. It is unknown whether or not Joyce will get a start against Garza on Sunday, but he should.

Aside from his success against Garza and his success this season, the struggles his former teammate has endured provide a perfect reason as to why Joyce should start on Sunday. In eight starts this season, Garza is sporting a 1-4 record with a 5.74 ERA and 1.68 WHIP. These numbers are well above his career averages and Joyce and the Pirates will more than likely look to take advantage of these woes.

In his last start against the Pirates, Garza gave up four earned runs in five innings. The 32-year old right hander is 2-4 with a 4.61 ERA in 10 career starts against the Pirates.