Pirates' Andrew McCutchen and Astros Set for a Thrilling Showdown at PNC Park

First Inning

As the Pirates prepare to host the Astros at PNC Park, all eyes will be on Andrew McCutchen, the veteran outfielder who has been a standout performer for the Bucs in recent games. McCutchen's performance in the first inning could set the tone for what promises to be an exciting matchup. Over his last three games, McCutchen has demonstrated his prowess at the plate with a batting average of .500, including two home runs and three RBIs. His ability to get on base and drive in runs will be crucial for the Pirates as they look to gain an early advantage.

The Astros, on the other hand, will rely on their pitching staff to keep McCutchen and his teammates in check. Lance McCullers Jr., one of their top pitchers, has been exceptional with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.5 over his last outing against the Pirates. His ability to strike out batters with a K/9 rate of 10.503 makes him a formidable opponent for any lineup.

Middle Innings

As we move into the middle innings, Bryan Reynolds will be another key player for Pittsburgh. The outfielder has been consistent with a .600 batting average and two RBIs over his last three games. Reynolds' fielding has also been solid, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage in recent outings.

For Houston, Jeremy Peña stands out as a player to watch during these innings. Peña's offensive capabilities were highlighted by his impressive performance against Tampa Bay where he recorded a .667 batting average and an OPS of 3.334 thanks to two home runs in that game alone.

The Pirates' pitching rotation will look towards Paul Skenes to maintain control during these critical innings. Skenes boasts an ERA of 1.125 and has shown great command with just 0.148 OBP allowed across recent appearances.

Late Innings

As we approach the late innings, both teams will need their bullpen arms ready to close out what could be a tight contest. For Pittsburgh, David Bednar is expected to play a pivotal role given his recent performances where he maintained an ERA of 0.00 while striking out batters at an impressive rate.

On Houston's side, Josh Hader is likely to be called upon given his stellar form with an ERA of 0.00 across multiple outings and striking out batters at an astounding K/9 rate of 18.

With both teams showcasing strong individual performances leading up to this game, fans can expect a thrilling encounter when these two sides meet at PNC Park on June 5th at 6:40 PM ET broadcasted live on SCHN network.

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