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Will PNC Park Witness the Pirates Charting a Course to Overcome Cardinals' Resistance?

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to host the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an enthralling matchup. The game, scheduled for July 2nd at 6:40 PM ET, will be broadcast on BSMW, offering fans a chance to witness the action live.


Jun 12, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter (26) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Analyzing recent performances, it's clear that the Pirates have faced challenges but also shown moments of brilliance. In their last three games, despite a struggling offense with batting averages lingering around .176 and .200 in two of those contests and only managing to secure one win out of these games, there have been glimpses of potential that could turn the tide in their favor against the Cardinals.


A critical aspect that stands out is their bullpen's performance which has demonstrated resilience by maintaining an ERA as low as 0.0 in one game and showing capability with strikeout rates peaking at 9.0 per nine innings across these matchups. This pitching strength could prove pivotal when facing a Cardinals team known for its competitive edge.


Jun 12, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

However, hitting remains a concern for the Pirates; they've struggled to capitalize on run-scoring opportunities as evidenced by leaving multiple runners on base in scoring positions across these games. To secure victory against the Cardinals, enhancing their offensive execution will be crucial.


PNC Park plays into this narrative with its unique dimensions that can favor both pitchers and hitters under different circumstances. For pitchers adept at inducing groundballs or flyouts, PNC Park’s outfield can become an ally in suppressing opposing offenses. Conversely, hitters who can exploit gaps or adjust to wind patterns may find success.


Jun 12, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) throws on the run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

In conclusion, while recent trends suggest challenges for the Pirates' offense against a formidable Cardinals squad, their pitching staff's solid performances offer hope for containment and competitiveness in this upcoming game/matchup.


Fans should mark their calendars for July 2nd at 6:40 PM ET at PNC Park and tune into BSMW to catch all the action live from Pittsburgh.

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