After a stellar west coast road trip, the Pittsburgh Pirates returned to PNC Park this past weekend. The Bucs were swept in three games by the Miami Marlins and now look to bounce back in a three game set against the Houston Astros.
Despite losing three straight to another wild card contender in the form of the Marlins, the Pittsburgh Pirates (62-59) remain 15 games behind the first place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. The Bucs are still in the midst of the wild card race, sitting three games shy of the second spot.
The Houston Astros (64-60) are in a similar position as the Pirates. The Astros sit in third place in the crowded American League West division and trail by 3.5 games for the second wild card spot in the AL. The Astros are riding high at the moment having won three of their last four games.
The Pirates and Astros rarely meet anymore. The former NL Central foes are filled with young talent which could translate to some interesting matchups in this series. Here are our three matchups to watch.
3.) Jameson Taillon vs Alex Bregman
This series provides one particular matchup that you don’t get to see too often.
In 2010, Jameson Taillon was selected by the Pirates with the second overall pick in the MLB draft. Fast forward five years and shortstop Alex Bregman was the second overall pick by the Astros in the 2015 draft. Tonight, they go up against one another.
Taillon has been more than stellar in 11 starts for the Pirates, compiling a 3-2 record with a 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 66 innings. The 24-year old, who has put together nine quality starts, maintains a 7.09 K/9 rate and 1.23 BB/9 rate.
Bregman is hitting .229 with three home runs and 13 RBI in just 25 big league games. He struggled early on, but has adapted to facing major league pitching. In his last seven games, Bregman is hitting .344 with three home runs and nine RBI. The former LSU star has also compiled two three-hit games in his last three contests.
Neither of these two young stars have faced each other in the big leagues, but this first matchup will most definitely be an exciting one to watch. They are both young, talented players who are bound to have an impact on their respective clubs in the future. However, the future is now and that is something that fans will witness tonight.
2.) Doug Fister vs Andrew McCutchen
It’s no secret that Andrew McCutchen has had a much better approach at the plate as of late. The Pirates center fielder is hitting .310 in his last 10 games and will look to continue that stellar approach against tonight’s starter for the Astros, Doug Fister.
In his career against Fister, McCutchen is 5-for-11 (.455) with one walk and two strikeouts. He hasn’t been a huge run producer against Fister, but he has reached base at a consistent rate against the right hander.
Fister has been one the Astros most consistent arms this season, compiling an 11-8 record with a 3.76 ERA in 24 starts. The 32-year old has struggled in his last two starts however, giving up four or more runs in each outing.
McCutchen has put up quality career numbers against most pitchers which is a testament to the consistency he has been able to maintain throughout his career. This matchup is favorable for McCutchen and it will be interesting to see if he can take advantage of that.
1.) Gerrit Cole vs Jose Altuve
When listing some of the best players in baseball, Jose Altuve is undoubtedly at the top of that list.
The 26-year old has had an MVP caliber year in 2016, hitting at a .365/.428/.578 clip with 20 home runs and 82 RBI in 123 games. His patience at the plate has also been impressive as he has drawn 51 walks this season compared to just 54 strikeouts in 488 at-bats.
Altuve has also shown no signs of slowing down, hitting .415 with five home runs and 28 RBI in his last 30 games.
On Wednesday, Altuve and the Astros go up against Pirates ace Gerrit Cole. Cole has struggled as of late, compiling a 2-4 record with a 4.20 ERA in his last seven starts. He has also given up 24 combined hits in his last two starts.
It’s not going to get much easier as Cole gets prepared to take on a lineup that features threats such as Carlos Correa, Evan Gattis, Bregman and Altuve. Out of those four players, Gattis is the only one with experience against Cole, going 1-for-3 in his career against him.
Cole has never faced off against Altuve, but this first meeting is bound to be an exciting one with some big questions surrounding it. Will Cole get out of his recent slump or will Altuve continue his dominance against any opposing pitcher that toes the rubber against him? Be sure to tune in Wednesday to find out.
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