9-9-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
It’s been a race to the bottom for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and visiting Miami Marlins, though both have shown up a bit more as of late with each team having won 4 of their last 7 games.
Both teams have a bottom-of-the-barrel offense as the Pirates rank 27th in MLB with an 86 wRC+ and the Marlins are right behind them at 85.
9/9
Marlins – Valente Bellozo (R) – 2-2, 47.2 IP, 3.78 ERA, 33 Ks/17 walks, 1.28 WHIP
Pirates – Paul Skenes (R) – 9-2, 114 IP, 2.13 ERA, 142 Ks/30 walks, 0.98 WHIP
9/10
Nationals – Adam Oller (R) – 1-2, 21.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 22 Ks/13 walks, 1.25 WHIP
Pirates – TBD
9/11
Nationals – TBD
Pirates – Bailey Falter (L) – 7-7, 121.1 IP, 4.45 ERA, 84 Ks/36 walks, 1.231 WHIP
Marlins: Connor Norby – Norby has been one of the best trade acquisitions at this year’s deadline as a prospect who, in 18 games with the Marlins, has a 329/.372/.671 slash line, 7 doubles, 6 home runs and 13 RBI in only 78 plate appearances.
Pirates: Yasmani Grandal – This is most likely the first time Grandal has appeared in this section but, to his credit, he’s earned it with the bat lately. He’s currently riding a 9-game hitting streak while reaching base in 13 consecutive outings dating back to August 10th, posting a .350/.490/.625 slash line in that span with 3 home runs and more walks (11) than strikeouts (9).
Marlins: Jake Burger – Burger was one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the month of August, posting a .282/.365/.609 slash line with 10 home runs but has struggled to get things going in September with just 3 hits in 18 at-bats and zero home runs.
Pirates: Bryan de la Cruz – Being the final out in both games of a double header puts a shadow on BDLC but his struggles have continued to get worse since his trade from these Marlins. He has just one hit in his last 23 plate appearances and has a 26 wRC+ since joining the Bucs.
Key Injuries
Marlins: Their entire pitching staff. This is essentially the same thing I wrote for the Marlins back in March and somehow, it’s still happening as they placed pitchers Max Meyer (right shoulder bursitis) and Calvin Faucher (right shoulder impingement) on the IL this past weekend, joining a long list of hurt hurlers.
Pirates: It’s one thing after another for Henry Davis (left hand inflammation) this season as he struggles to find consistency with the Pirates both at the dish and behind it.
Steel City Pirates 