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Pirates’ Bullpen Aims to Steady the Ship Against Braves
Introduction
No lead has been safe for the Pittsburgh Pirates lately. The team has seen comfortable advantages slip away in each of its last two games. On Friday, in the opener of a three-game set with the visiting Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh will look to turn things around.
Pirates’ Recent Struggles
Blown Leads
After a promising 5-0 lead on Wednesday transformed into a 9-5 misfortune to the San Francisco Giants, the Pirates again wasted leads of 5-1 and 6-2 on Thursday, at last falling 7-6 in the series’ elastic match. The warm up area has been a critical issue, giving up 12 runs (10 procured) more than seven innings in those two misfortunes, finishing in an unsettling 12.86 Period.
Manager’s Concerns
“It’s a concern,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said following Thursday’s setback. “Our bullpen’s gotta be better. We have, what, a 5-0 lead yesterday and a 6-2 lead today? We have to be better. Our bullpen has to be better. We have to win games like that.”
Upcoming Matchup: Falter vs. Kerr
Bailey Falter (Pirates)
- Season Performance: Left-hander Bailey Falter (2-2, 3.53 ERA) has the chance to ease the pressure on the Pirates’ bullpen in the opener. Falter was strong against the Chicago Cubs last Saturday, allowing just three hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings, though he did not factor into the decision as Pittsburgh lost 1-0.
- Career Stats Against Braves: In three career starts against Atlanta, Falter is 0-1 with an 8.03 ERA.
Ray Kerr (Braves)
- Season Performance: The Braves recalled left-hander Ray Kerr (1-0, 2.89 ERA) from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday morning to start this game. His 33 previous major league appearances have all been in relief. Kerr threw 64 pitches in his most recent outing, allowing two runs on four hits over 3 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres on Sunday.
- Debut as Starter: This will be Kerr’s first start, posing a new challenge for the Pirates’ lineup.
Braves’ Recent Success
Strong Pitching and Momentum
Not at all like the Pirates, the Braves have disapproved of their pitching staff. Atlanta has outscored rivals 18-6 while winning three of its last four games, remembering a 3-0 triumph over the Fledglings for Thursday. The Braves removed two from three games from Chicago, and reliever A.J. Minter trusts the energy go on as they head into the back portion of a six-game excursion.
Team Confidence
“It was a big series for us,” Minter said. “I feel like this road trip could’ve gone two different ways. For us to get off on a good start is big for us. We’re still at a very good spot, as far as the season goes. You never want to let the division get away from us. For us to go out there and to win two out of three on the road, and now we go to Pittsburgh and hopefully win another series. It was a low-key big series for us.”
Player Highlights
Chadwick Tromp: Atlanta catcher Chadwick Tromp had two hits on Thursday and is 6-for-13 (.462) during a four-game hitting streak. His consistent performance adds depth to the Braves’ lineup, providing additional support for their strong pitching.
Series Context
The Braves and Pirates will be meeting for the first time this season. Last year, Atlanta went 4-3 against Pittsburgh. This series opener will set the tone for both teams as they aim to achieve their respective goals—Pittsburgh to stabilize their bullpen and secure leads, and Atlanta to continue their winning momentum and strengthen their division standing.
Conclusion
As the Pirates look to overcome their bullpen struggles and the Braves aim to maintain their recent success, Friday’s game promises to be a crucial matchup for both teams. Bailey Falter will strive to deliver another strong performance for Pittsburgh, while Ray Kerr steps into a starting role for Atlanta. Fans can expect an engaging and competitive series opener as the Pirates and Braves clash at PNC Park.
