8-27-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
In last night’s game, steals were a HUGE part of the Cubs game plan. Tonight, a different kind of ‘Steele’ will be on display as Jared Jones makes his long-awaited return from the injured list to face 2023 Cy Young finalist and Chicago ace, Justin Steele.
Steele is following up his strong 2023 campaign, where he posted career-best marks in starts (30), innings pitched (173.1), strikeouts (176) and ERA (3.06) – with a surprisingly similar run of success as he enters play today with a 3.07 ERA through 123 innings pitched and 125 strikeouts in 21 starts.
Despite that, the win/loss record isn’t reflecting as positively as last year as he has a 4-5 record compared to 16-5 in 2023.
Two of Steele’s worst starts this season came against the Bucs as he allowed 6 runs in 4 innings against Pittsburgh on May 11th and then 5 runs (4 earned) in 5.2 innings his very next start on May 16th – both games where the Pirates prevailed so Steele will be hungry for payback.
While he did strike out 10 batters to just 3 walks in those games, he also allowed 5 home runs over those two starts but that typically isn’t an issue for the lefty as he has surrendered just 6 long-balls in his other 19 games combined this year.
Steele works mostly with his low-90s fastball (which he throws ~60% of the time) paired with a low-80s slider breaking away from righty hitters. He also throws the occasional changeup and curve but mainly will build off the fastball/slider combo.
The four seamer has gotten hit a bit more than the slider but not by a ton. That said, the slider is BY FAR the better pitch. Steele has a 33.1% K rate on the offering (compared to 21.3% with the FF) and a slugging percentage almost 200 points lower than that of the fastball. Bucs bats will want to stay on that low-velo heat to drive early and often.
Tough loss yesterday but chance to bounce back and give our other rookie sensation starter a bump in his return to the team.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Steel City Pirates 