Pirates depend on rookie to upend M’s
Pittsburgh’s arms hold a collective ERA of 5.47 this month. Unless today’s starter can buck that ugly trend, the Buccos could be facing another sweep.
Jameson Taillon will attempt to net the visitors a series split in this evening’s finale vs. Seattle, with a 10:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Safeco Field. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the M’s odds of -130 to prevail, though, while the Pirates enter as +110 underdogs. The over/under run figure currently rests at 8.5.
Last night, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle could merely watch as his rotation offered another clunker. Jonathon Niese was the primary culprit in the squad’s 5-2 defeat, surrendering five runs on nine hits across 4 2/3 innings. He’s 0-4 with a plus-9.00 ERA in his past four outings, permitting seven homers in those appearances.
The highly touted Taillon has been much better. Aside from a sensational showing vs. the Mets on June 14, the rookie holds a 1-1 record with a 7.07 ERA in his three other assignments. In several hours, he’ll encounter a Seattle lineup that leads the American League West in homers (113), total bases (1,168), OBP (.328), slugging percentage (.438) and OPS (.767).
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There’s hope for the Pirates, though, insofar as the Mariners (39-38) dispatch Wade Miley to the hill. The lefty could be quite rusty after spending two-and-a-half weeks on the disabled list due to shoulder stiffness. Pittsburgh (37-41) generally hits southpaws at a superior clip, too, so lean toward the NL Central representative here.
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