6-9-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
The Pirates are in unfamiliar territory as they are looking to follow-up on their first sweep – and first three-game winning streak – of the season as they welcome the struggling Miami Marlins to town.
While the Pirates have been raising the Jolly Roger this weekend, the Fish have not been nearly as celebratory, dropping 6 of their last 7 games which included being swept at home by the lowly Colorado Rockies.
Starting off the series will see the long-awaited return of Eury Perez, who has not appeared on an MLB mound in over 20 months as elbow discomfort during Spring Training of 2024 led to the inevitable Tommy John Surgery last April.
Perez, the once heralded pitching, had a dominant rookie season in 2023 where he posted a 3.15 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP, striking out 108 batters in 91.1 innings. His fastball averaged 94–97 mph and touched 100, complemented by his devastating changeup and a slider that emerged as a key weapon.
In 8 minor league games this season between the low-A Jupiter Hammerheads and AAA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Perez has looked every bit that elite pitcher as he posted a 1.99 ERA over 22.2 innings with 27 strikeouts and 10 walks over that span.
The 6’8, 22-year old was up to 82 pitches in his last start so he seems likely to be prepared for 90+ pitches in today’s outing if given the chance. He also fully has both his velocity and pitch mix back, though his control is shaky at times as evidenced by his high walk rate even at the lower levels.
Miami has had one of the worst performing bullpens in MLB with the 5th highest ERA (4.54) and 6th lowest K rate (20.6%) so if they can battle through Perez and get his pitch count up early, they will have a better chance against the relief corps.
Steel City Pirates 