Opinion
3 min read

Can the Pirates Sail Past the Brewers at PNC Park?

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to host the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying matchup. The recent performances of the Pirates have been nothing short of impressive, and their latest victory on April 1 against the Washington Nationals showcased a team that is firing on all cylinders.


Sep 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Liover Peguero (60) throws to first base to complete  double play over Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Mark Canha (21) to end the eighth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates' bats were alive and well in their last game, racking up 15 hits and securing a dominant 8-4 win. Their hitting statistics speak volumes: a .375 batting average, an on-base percentage (OBP) of .469, and a slugging percentage (SLG) of .525. With such robust numbers, it's clear that this lineup can do some serious damage against any pitching staff.


One cannot overlook how well-rounded their performance was; they didn't just rely on heavy hitting but also played error-free baseball while demonstrating solid fielding with a perfect fielding percentage (FPCT) of 1.0. This combination of potent offense and reliable defense makes them formidable opponents for any team in the league.


Sep 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The bullpen also deserves recognition for its contribution to recent successes. Despite an earned run average (ERA) that might raise some eyebrows at 6.75 from their last outing, they managed to strike out batters at an impressive rate with a strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) ratio of 13.5 – showcasing their ability to get outs when needed most.


On the other side, while not as dominant in recent games as PIT has been, MIL cannot be underestimated either; they've had moments where they've shone brightly this season too.


Sep 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

However, given PIT's current form and home-field advantage where they seem comfortable both at-bat and on defense – it would take something special from MIL to disrupt PIT's rhythm come game day.


Fans should mark their calendars for April 22nd when these two teams will clash under the lights at PNC Park in Pittsburgh starting at 6:40 PM local time (EDT). For those who can't make it to the stadium but want to catch every pitch live can tune into SportsNet PT for full coverage of what promises to be another thrilling chapter in this division rivalry.

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