The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face the Detroit Tigers in a four game home-at-home series. Here are three key matchups to keep an eye on.
With week one of the Major League Baseball season officially in the books, the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves two games above .500 with a 4-2 record. The first week saw the Bucs sweep the St Louis Cardinals in the opening series of the season at PNC Park and lose two of three to the Cincinnati Reds in the first road series of the season at Great American Ballpark. There were plenty of matchups to watch in this first week of the season and the upcoming week is no different. This week, the Pirates are looking at a four game home and home series against the Detroit Tigers and a three game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Here are three matchups to keep an eye on this week, particularly in the Tigers series which begins this afternoon.
3.) Matt Joyce vs Justin Verlander/Anibal Sanchez
As we all know, Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle has remained extremely consistent when it comes to who he is writing into the starting lineup, yesterday being the only exception as Chris Stewart got the start behind the plate in place of Francisco Cervelli. Due to Hurdle sticking with a similar lineup through six games, a lot of the Pirates bench players haven’t received an opportunity to start, with limited at-bats coming in pinch hit situations. One of those bench players is new Pirates outfielder Matt Joyce, who made the opening day roster out of Spring Training. Joyce, who spent last season playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has had an at-bat in each of the Pirates six games this season, going 0-3 with three walks.
The Pirates outfield trio of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco have each had stellar starts to their 2016 campaign, but if there was ever a time to rest one of the stars, the next two games, today and tomorrow, against the Tigers could serve as an opportune time. Joyce, who was originally drafted by the Tigers in 2005, has a career .229 average against his former team with seven home runs and 19 RBI in 31 games. These numbers may not jump out at you, but his numbers against the probable starters in game one and two of this series might. The 31-year old has had success in his career against right-handers Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez, hitting .353 with two home runs, five RBI and two walks in 19 plate appearances against Verlander and .278 with one home run and four RBI in 18 plate appearances against Sanchez.
It was just recently announced that Joyce will indeed be in today’s lineup for the Pirates, serving as the designated hitter. This battle between Joyce and Verlander is going to be a key matchup to keep an eye on and it may not surprise anyone to see Joyce in the lineup again tomorrow, either in the outfield or again serving as the Pirates DH.
2.) John Jaso vs Verlander/Sanchez
Like Joyce, another new Pirate may create another matchup to watch against Verlander this afternoon and Sanchez tomorrow afternoon. So far this season, John Jaso has been a pleasant surprise both offensively and defensively over at first base. In six games this season, the 32-year old has started each game over at first base while serving as a stellar lead off option for the Bucs. This season, Jaso is hitting .292 with seven hits in 24 at-bats while driving in one run and scoring three runs himself.
Though he has had a good start to the 2016 campaign, Jaso could be challenged in the Pirates next two games. Unlike Joyce, Jaso hasn’t had too much success against Verlander or Sanchez. In fact, he has struggled mightily against the two veterans. In his career, Jaso has a career .125 batting average with four strikeouts against Verlander and is hitting .063 with five walks and two strikeouts in his career against Sanchez.
Jaso, who has spent most of his career in the American League playing for the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, has experience getting at-bats against these guys and could provide some intriguing matchups in the next two games. He has clear struggles against the next two probable opposing pitchers and it could be interesting to see whether or not these struggles continue.
1.) Andrew McCutchen vs Jordan Zimmermann
Entering his eighth Major League season, Andrew McCutchen has accumulated a number of at-bats against various pitchers around the league. In his 3887 career at-bats, the 29-year old has had success against a number of great pitchers, including new Tigers ace Jordan Zimmermann.
McCutchen doesn’t have a ton of experience against Zimmermann, but he has had a knack for hitting home runs against him, going 2-6 with two home runs in his career against the 29-year old right-hander.
In six games this season, McCutchen is hitting .318 with one RBI and four runs scored while hitting second in the Pirates lineup. Zimmermann has also had a stellar start to his season, shining in his Tigers debut on April 8, pitching seven shutout innings with three strikeouts against the New York Yankees.
McCutchen’s success against Zimmermann and his success this season provide reasons for this matchup to be one to keep an eye on. One of the best hitters in all of baseball against one of the best pitchers in the game. What else could you ask for?
Zimmermann is expected to take the hill in game four of this home and home series on Thursday afternoon at PNC Park in a pitchers duel as he goes up against Pirates ace Gerrit Cole.
The upcoming interleague series between the Pirates and Tigers should be an exciting one to watch and these three specific matchups are prime examples of that.
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