Starter Spotlight: Bottle of Jameson

9-2-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X

As the calendar turns to September, the struggle continues for the Pirates – who have now dropped 21 of their last 29 games, battling to avoid a last place finish instead of contending for a playoff berth.

They’ll have the wrong kind of Jameson tonight in a rematch with former Bucco, Jameson Taillon, who pitched 6.2 innings in his last outing versus the Pirates allowing 4 runs off 8 hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Last week, Taillon worked mainly off his sinker and cutter with the curve, 4-seam, sweeper changeup mixed in as well – but ALL of his pitches were hit hard last week with average exit velocity of 92.6 or higher and max exit velocity each above 101.

While had the luxury of a big offensive outburst to cushion his performance last go-round, the Bucs will look to prevent a repeat as they hold fast to his hard stuff with the sinker/cutter/4-seam tandem making up over 63% of his total pitch distribution.

Stay on the fastball and stay away from the curve, which mostly drops down and under the zone when it’s effective. Jump on his pitches early and often as he’s going to throw strikes and fill up the zone. Work counts and try to get to the bullpen sooner than later.

Let’s Go Bucs!