4-2-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
The Pirates desperately need some pop in their offense as the bats have gone completely cold. After scoring just one run so far this series and only mustering a single extra base hit, can they break through against the final starter, Ryan Pepiot?
Pepiot, part of the return in the Tyler Glasnow trade with the Dodgers, was the Rays opening day starter this season after posting a 3.60 ERA over 130 innings in his first year with Tampa Bay. He faced the Pirates last year, lasting just 3.1 innings as he allowed 2 runs off 3 hits, walking 4 and striking out only 3 batters.
I talked about Pepiot in my preview ahead of that game so let’s focus on what he looks like right now:
In his first start of the season against the Rockies, he pitched 6 strong innings: 6 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. His changeup was decidedly better for him in that game, getting some NASTY whiffs.
He works the mid-80s changeup as his primary secondary off his mid-90s fastball, adding in a high-80s slider, low-90s cutter and low-80s infrequent curve but primarily is fastball/changeup and tunnels them well.
Despite being “just” 6’3, Pepiot has well above-average extension which makes his good velocity play up and the time frame for hitters to make decisions shorter, leading to excellent whiff and strikeout rates, ranking among the tops in MLB in generating swings-and-misses.
The key for Pirates hitters will be identifying pitches as early as possible and being more aggressive at the plate and putting the ball in play.
As a team, the Pirates rank 8th highest in strikeout rates (26.6%) and 6th lowest batting average (.189). That’s not gonna cut it and it needs to improve if they have any chance of getting back in the win column.
Steel City Pirates 