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Pirates Building Momentum, Seek Sweep of Braves
The Pittsburgh Pirates are gaining momentum with strong recent performances and aim to sweep the struggling Atlanta Braves. Can they keep their winning streak alive.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a roll, showing off their newfound momentum with a solid string of performances. As they gear up to sweep the Atlanta Braves, the Pirates are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. Let’s dive into how they’ve been doing it and what’s at stake.
Pirates’ Recent Performance
The Pirates have really hit their stride lately, winning four of their last six games and boasting a 6-4 record over their past ten. Their offense has been on fire, racking up 77 runs in the last two weeks. And it’s not just the bats – their starting pitchers have been lights out, posting a 2.41 ERA in nine games since May 16. Eight of those games have been quality starts, with opposing batters struggling to hit just .205 against them.
“The best thing that you can have is internal competition,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. “It’s not competing against each other; it’s competing with each other.”
Key Pitching Performances
In their recent victories against the Braves, Bailey Falter pitched a stellar 7 1/3 innings in an 11-5 win on Friday, and Mitch Keller followed up with another great performance on Saturday, going into the seventh inning in a 4-1 victory. For the series finale, veteran Martin Perez (1-3, 4.80 ERA) will take the mound. While his career numbers against the Braves aren’t great, Perez is looking to turn things around.
Challenges for the Atlanta Braves
On the other side, the Braves are having a rough time, losing seven of their last ten games. Saturday’s loss was the fourth time in 11 games they scored one or fewer runs.
“It’s a long season, and we still know we can turn it around at some point,” said Braves center fielder Michael Harris II. “We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing and try to correct some of the little things.”
Underperforming Stars
One major issue for the Braves has been the slump of their key hitters. Ronald Acuna Jr., who was a powerhouse last season, is now batting just .246 with four home runs. Matt Olson, who set a franchise record with 54 home runs last season, is now slugging .396 with only seven homers.
“I’ve always said hitting is contagious,” Olson remarked. “It was contagious when we were all squaring balls up last year. Sometimes, it can be contagious the other way, too. You just need a couple of balls barreled back to back and you have a big inning, and there we go.”
Veteran Pitcher Chris Sale
Veteran pitcher Chris Sale (7-1, 2.22 ERA) will start for the Braves. In his only career start against the Pirates, he delivered seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits.
Game Dynamics and Expectations
As the Pirates aim to sweep the Braves, the contrasting forms of both teams set the stage for an intriguing matchup. The Pirates’ recent success and internal competition are driving their positive momentum, while the Braves are looking to correct their course and regain their form.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on an upward trajectory, leveraging their internal competition and strong recent performances to build momentum. As they seek to sweep the Atlanta Braves, the dynamic between the two teams highlights the Pirates’ strengths and the Braves’ struggles. The upcoming game promises to be a critical test for both teams.
