After beginning the season with a series against the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Pirates will play another American League East team in the New York Yankees this weekend at PNC Park.
For the first time since 2008, the New York Yankees return to PNC Park for a three game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A lot has changed since 2008, a year in which the Yankees went on to win 89 games en route to a third place finish in the American League East and the Pirates lost 95 games and finished dead last in the National League Central race.
Fast forward nine years and the Yankees are rebuilding with one of the best farm systems in baseball, while the major league team has gotten out to a 10-5 start and sit a half game back in the AL East standings.
On the other hand, the Bucs have yet to find an identity yet. They have been involved in five sweeps this season, two in their favor and three against. With a 6-9 mark on the year, the Pirates currently sit 2.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds for first place in a division where all the teams have scuffled to start play.
This series is bound to be an interesting one as both teams have an abundance of youth, as well as some veteran leadership, that make them exciting teams to watch.
With that excitement come intriguing matchups to look out for. Here are our top three matchups to watch for this three game set at PNC.
3.) David Freese vs. CC Sabathia
To say that Yankees ace CC Sabathia has been good to start out the 2017 season would be an understatement. The 36 year old is 2-0 to start the year while sporting a 1.47 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in three starts. He has held opponents to a .182 batting average and is coming off of a start April 15 against the Cardinals in which he allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out six in 7.1 innings.
The former Cy Young award winner and six time all star has pitched against the Pirates on six occasions throughout his career and is a perfect 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA against them.
Sabathia has not faced the Pirates since 2008 when he made three starts against them as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Since Sabathia is making his first appearance against the Bucs in nine years, he doesn’t have much experience against the Pirates offense. However, one guy he has faced before is David Freese.
In his career against Sabathia, Freese is 1 for 4 with a double and a pair of walks. All six of his plate appearances against Sabathia occurred in 2015 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
While the Pirates offense is struggling, maybe it’s good for the team to face off against a relatively unfamiliar face. And maybe Freese will have an opportunity to light the spark the offense desperately needs.
2.) Jameson Taillon vs. Michael Pineda
The Yankees and Pirates may find themselves in a pitchers duel Saturday night with Michael Pineda and Jameson Taillon on the mound. Pineda has never faced the Pirates in his career and Taillon has yet to face off against the Bronx Bombers, which makes this an intriguing pitching matchup.
After starting the year with a less than stellar outing April 5 against Tampa Bay, Pineda has settled down in his last two starts. The 28 year old is coming off of back to back outings in which he has pitched past the seventh inning and has given up just three earned runs in those 14 plus innings. In 18.1 innings pitched this season, Pineda has struck out 23 batters while walking one.
Taillon has been just as good. In fact, he has been lights out for the Bucs. In three starts, the 25 year old is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Taillon has allowed just three runs (two earned) in 20 innings this season. He has also added 16 punch outs.
When it comes to starters with at least three starts this season, Taillon ranks fifth in baseball in ERA.
Runs may come in limited fashion Saturday night. Pineda may have an advantage by facing a slumping Pirates lineup; however, it’s hard not to have confidence in Taillon even if he is going to be facing a Yankees offense that is hitting .262 this season, good for fifth in all of baseball.
1.) Ivan Nova vs. his former team
Ivan Nova will likely look over at the visiting dugout Sunday and see some familiar faces. For the first time in his career, Nova will get an opportunity to face off against his former team as he is expected to be opposed by 24 year old rookie Jordan Montgomery.
So far this season, Nova has proven to be a vital part of the Pirates rotation. In three starts, Nova has compiled a 1-2 record along with a 2.25 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. In 20 innings, Nova has struck out eight and has yet to allow a walk.
Nova has provided the Pirates with three quality starts to begin the year, but has been the tough luck loser on two occasions including his last time out, a complete game performance against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday night.
It will be interesting to see how Nova fares against a team he spent seven seasons with. He has reinvigorated his career in Pittsburgh after struggling in his later years in the Bronx. I’m sure he will come out motivated to prove himself once again Sunday night which may not be good news for Yankees hitters.
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