Opinion
3 min read

Pirates Aim to Plunder Diamondbacks at Chase Field

First Inning


As the Pirates prepare to face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 27, 2025, fans are eager to see if the Bucs can capitalize on their recent performances. The Pirates have shown resilience in their past games against the Cincinnati Reds, with a notable victory on May 21 where they secured a win with a strong pitching performance. Their ability to limit opponents' scoring opportunities has been impressive, as evidenced by their low earned run average and effective bullpen management.


Aug 4, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) hits an infield single the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning against at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The first inning will be crucial for setting the tone of this matchup. The Pirates' starting pitchers have demonstrated control and precision, maintaining an opponent batting average of just .167 in previous outings. This level of discipline will be essential against the D-Backs' lineup known for its aggressive batting style.


Middle Innings


In the middle innings, expect Pittsburgh's hitters to focus on exploiting any weaknesses in Arizona's pitching staff. The Bucs have struggled with consistency at bat but showed potential by achieving a .300 batting average during key moments against Cincinnati. Their ability to get runners on base and apply pressure through strategic base running could turn these innings into pivotal moments.


Aug 4, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera (11) and starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (19) make their way in from the bullpen to play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks will likely counter with their own offensive strategies, aiming to disrupt Pittsburgh's rhythm. However, if the Buccos can maintain their defensive prowess—highlighted by zero errors in recent games—they stand a good chance of stifling Arizona’s attempts.


Final Innings


As we approach the final innings, it’s anticipated that both teams will intensify efforts either to secure or overturn leads. For Pittsburgh, closing out games has been an area of strength; they’ve managed tight situations effectively thanks largely to their bullpen’s reliability which boasts an impressive strikeout rate per nine innings pitched.


Aug 3, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller (23) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona might attempt late-game heroics given their home advantage at Chase Field but overcoming Pittsburgh’s composed defense won't be easy unless they find gaps early enough within those last few frames.


Overall prediction: If Pirates continue leveraging solid pitching alongside opportunistic hitting while minimizing fielding errors—as seen recently—they could very well emerge victorious over Diamondbacks come game day!


Catch all action live from Phoenix when these two teams clash under lights; tune into ARID network coverage starting 9:40 PM EDT! Share your thoughts about this exciting encounter among fellow fans!

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