Opinion
3 min read

Can Pirates Chart a Course to Victory Against Blue Jays at LECOM?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for what promises to be an intriguing encounter against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Fans of the Pirates have reason for cautious optimism despite a recent rough patch, as their team looks to rebound from a shutout loss on March 20 against the New York Yankees.


Oct 1, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Joshua Palacios (54) and shortstop Liover Peguero (60) celebrate after defeating the Miami Marlins at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In that game, the Pirates' bats were silenced, managing only four hits and no runs across nine innings. The hitting statistics paint a bleak picture; with an average of .133 and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .388, it's clear that offensive production was lacking. The team left seven runners on base and failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position (RISP), going hitless in two at-bats.


However, not all is doom and gloom for the Pirates. Looking back at their performance on March 18 against the Philadelphia Phillies provides some silver linings. The team's offense exploded for 11 runs off 16 hits, showcasing their potential when bats connect effectively. With an impressive batting average of .390 and OPS of 1.078 from that game, it demonstrates what the lineup is capable when firing on all cylinders.


Pitching has been similarly inconsistent for Pittsburgh. While they managed to keep their ERA at 0 during bullpen outings against Philadelphia, they struggled mightily in other games—most notably allowing 12 earned runs over eight innings pitched against New York.


Defense will also be crucial; errors can be costly as seen in previous games where three fielding mistakes by Pittsburgh contributed significantly to their loss against Philadelphia.


The upcoming matchup with Toronto presents both challenge and opportunity—the Blue Jays are not an opponent to take lightly but represent a chance for redemption after recent setbacks.


As we look ahead to March 21st's game scheduled for a first pitch at 6:05 PM ET in Bradenton, Florida, fans should expect the Pirates' coaching staff to make adjustments aimed at sparking offensive production while shoring up defensive play. It will be essential for key players who have shown flashes of brilliance this preseason to step up if they hope to navigate through Toronto's lineup successfully.


Pirates enthusiasts can catch all the action live on SportsNet PT as their beloved team seeks victory under Florida’s evening sky.

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