6-23-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
After getting a rare offensive breakout in their game yesterday, the Bucs will look to keep the magic alive on the road as they travel to face the Brewers and rookie starter, Chad Patrick.
The 26-year old righty has a 3-7 record with a 3.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through his first 79.2 major league innings this season striking out 76 and walking 26.
The 2024 International League Pitcher of the Year is not quite replicating the success he experienced in the minors overall but has been enjoying home field advantage as his ERA in American Family Field (2.94) is nearly 1.5 runs lower than pitching outside the otherwise hitter-friendly terrain with an away ERA of 4.40.
Patrick features a fastball-heavy mix with a high-80s cutter and 4-seam/2-seam in the low-90s comprising nearly 89% of his total pitches thrown. He also adds in a high-80s changeup against lefties and a mid-80s slider against righties but hitters can mainly expect the fastballs tonight.
Lefties have had significant success against Patrick, batting .313 against his 4-seam and .271 against all of his pitches; however, at home, Patrick has held lefties to just a .207 average so he appears to have a bit of home field advantage.
Pittsburgh batters will want to target the fastballs and look to elevate. Patrick has both the lowest ground-ball rate (28.1%) and the highest line drive rate (30.7%) among starting pitchers with at least 300 batters faced this season.
He works up in the zone but the Bucs need to take advantage of men on base after they left 23 runners stranded in the Rangers series. Attack the heat and look to barrel up the ball to get an early series lead against the Brewers.
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