9-10-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
With a chance to seize a series win today, the Pirates elect to throw a bullpen game against opposing starter, Adam Oller, who was initially a 20th round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2016.
Entering play today with a 4.15 ERA over 4 starts with the Marlins this year, Oller has spent much of his career toiling in the minors, pitching just 115.2 MLB innings between Miami and the Oakland Athletics over 32 MLB games compared to 579 frames over 148 minor league outings.
He works with a mid-90s 4-seam, a mid-80s slurve, a low-80s curve and a high-80s changeup – none of them are located particularly well as indicated by his 12.1% walk rate in his MLB career.
None of his pitches have been hit at an alarming clip but, again, it more comes down to hitters not seeing pitches in the zone than Oller beating them with stuff.
Bucs bats need to be patient at the plate today. Take walks. Work counts. Jump on meatballs if he goes in the zone but don’t get aggressive and shoot yourself in the foot.
This is a beatable opponent and a winnable series unless the Pirates make unforced errors and squander it.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Steel City Pirates 