As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to face the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum, fans are eager to see if their team can turn around their recent performance. The Pirates have had a challenging stretch, with their latest game against the San Francisco Giants ending in a shutout loss where they managed 8 hits but failed to translate them into runs.

Jun 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Seth Brown (15) makes a catch for an out during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The team's hitting statistics reveal some concerns, with an average of .229 and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of just .575 from that game. Their batting average on balls in play (BABIP) was .333, indicating some potential for improvement if they can maintain or improve upon this figure. However, with zero runs batted in (RBI) and no hits with runners in scoring position (RISP), clutch hitting is an area that needs immediate attention.

Pitching has also been problematic; while starters held an earned run average (ERA) of 0.0 over 6 innings pitched against the Giants, the bullpen struggled significantly with an ERA of 13.5 over just 2 innings. This disparity suggests that maintaining strong pitching deep into games will be crucial against the Athletics.

Jun 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Rodolfo Castro (14) throws to first base to complete a double play over Oakland Athletics second baseman Jace Peterson (6) during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Looking at another recent game versus the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park provides a more positive outlook for Pirates fans as they managed to score 5 runs off 8 hits despite eventually losing by two runs. Their ability to get on base improved here, reflected by a higher on-base percentage (OBP) of .375 and OPS of .769 compared to their previous outing.

Defensively, there's room for improvement as well; errors have crept into recent performances which could prove costly if not addressed.

Jun 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Jonah Bride (26) congratulates shortstop Aledmys Diaz (12) after Diaz scored a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming match scheduled for April 30th at Oakland Coliseum will be broadcasted on SportsNet PT network and presents an opportunity for redemption. The venue is known for its expansive foul territory which could benefit pitchers from both teams by turning would-be foul balls into outs but may challenge hitters who will need precise placement to avoid easy catches.

Fans should expect a determined effort from Pittsburgh as they look forward to seeing whether adjustments made during practice sessions translate onto the field under competitive conditions.

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