8-12-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Last time Java Joe Musgrove took the mound for the Padres on May 26, the team was 26-26 and just treading water as they tried to contend in the ever-improving NL West division. Today, San Diego tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top wild card spot and poised to return to October baseball.
The Pirates will try to recover from an extremely rough stretch to face off against the former Pirates pitcher in tonight’s matchup as Musgrove returns from his prolonged IL stint due to triceps and elbow discomfort.
Prior to his injuries, Musgrove was not having the best start to his year as he posted a 5.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through his first 49.1 innings pitched. Over his first three seasons with San Diego from 2021-23, Musgrove put up a 3.05 ERA in 78 starts.
Though he likely won’t be positioned for a long outing today following his lone rehab start last week where he went just 3.1 innings, the 6’5 Padres pitcher certainly has some weapons to watch out for.
For starters, he has a litany of different pitches he can offer with changing speed, spin and location to keep hitters off-balance.
Just looking at his arsenal from 2023, he has the low-80s curve, low-90s 4-seam, low-90s cutter, low-80 slider/sweeper and high-80s changeup with an occasional sinker tossed in there.
While it didn’t show up as much prior to his May injury, Musgrove has posted some ELITE chase rates in recent years – with much of that coming against his BIG 12-6 curve.
He will most likely be looking to establish the fastball early as he tries to return to form so hitters should look high heat and lay off the low breaking junk.
It’s another day, another series, another chance to break back into the win column.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Steel City Pirates 