8-31-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Looking to even the series, the Pirates face veteran lefty, Matthew Boyd, who joined the Guardians on a mid-season free agent contract after spending most of his career with division rival, Detroit Tigers.
Boyd struggled to find a contract entering 2024 after posting a 5.45 ERA in 15 starts last season with the Tigers, allowing 11 home runs – a recurring issue for him (as he has led the league in HR allowed twice, including 39 surrendered over 185.1 innings in 2019). The southpaw has only pitched three games with his new team but has a 2.70 ERA through 16.2 innings with just 2 round-trippers.
He works a low-90s 4-seam/sinker, low-80s slider and low-80s changeup with occasional mid-70s curve
Looking at his numbers between last year to this year, it’s best for hitters to look for the fastball. Average exit velocity on his heaters have been 92+ and his 4-seamer resulted in 6 of the 11 long balls last season. Stay on that low-90s steamer and be ready to break out some big hits.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Steel City Pirates 