Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 23, 2023 16:38:59 GMT -5
Pittsburgh Pirates (74-69) @ San Francisco Giants (89-54)
PIT: Kevin Truitt (4-4, 5.46)
SF: Tristan Casas (8-5, 4.50)
Pirates 3 Key Stats
4: Shutouts the last six games: Pittsburgh has pitched great recently with four shutouts last week, and a fifth game where they allowed one run. It’s been a team affair as Kevin Truitt went 8 shutout in a win over Miami, Jayden Prescott went 6.1 shutout in a win over Miami, Bert Medrano went 6.2 shutout in a win over St. Louis, and Sergio Navarro went 8 innings of one-run ball in a win over St. Louis. The first game of the set, Bet Medrano got banged up so it was essentially a bullpen day that shutout Miami. Bad Company will look to keep the run of good pitching going tonight.
42: Brian Radcliffe Doubles: Radcliffe continues to grow nicely. After a solid 2029 where he put up 39 doubles, 23 homers, and had a .770 OPS, he’s grown that to 42 doubles, 25 homers, and an .804 OPS. That doubles mark is second in the NL, and one of the league pace. The home run power hasn’t been amazing yet, but it may get there as Radcliffe continues to put on strength. If the doubles turn into homers, Pittsburgh will have a star, but even if they don’t, they still have a winning player who stresses the defense with extra base hits.
.302: Tyler Freeman’s average: Freeman has played since 2025 and has never had an average above .252. Multi-hit games in four of his last five outings has him hitting over .300. Freeman’s always been adequate defensively, but he’s never hit. He has 21 career homers and a career OBP of .310. He needed a season where he was providing anything offensively to show he was worthy of being a starting Shortstop. Now 31, he’s proven he’s a starter and a good one.
Giants 3 Key Stats
19: Walks allowed by Tristan Casas: Casas has evolved into an excellent control pitcher this year, with 19 walks in 112 innings. His strikeouts are up as a result of pitching in the pen, but his control has been exceptional wherever he’s pitched. He’s forced hitters to put the ball in play, and while the Giants don’t have a great zone rating, their second in fewest errors. Pittsburgh can try to work the count, but they may have more success trying to win the BABIP game.
632: Plate Appearances for Nelle Willemsen: A former Top 25 prospect, Zipper Willemsen was plagued by circumstance early in his career. A deep Giants outfield relegated him to part-time duty as a rookie in 2027, and the same depth combined with a shoulder injury curtailed his 2028. Zipper had 458 career plate appearances entering last year. However, while Willemsen was stellar when in the lineup in 2027 and 2028, he hit just .211 last year with another very deep roster. Relegated to the minors for the middle of the year, he returned for the postseason and was a difference maker in San Francisco’s title run. However, he only had 621 career regular season plate appearances to his name. This year, he’s gotten another crack at a starting job and he’s seized it. His .295 average is excellent, and he’s clubbed 43 homers with 101 RBIs so far. He’s hitting like a star, and at 24-years-old, he may be a player who hits like a star for another decade.
-24.3: San Francisco’s zone rating: The Giants may have enough hitting and pitching talent for it to not matter, but defense is still a concern. San Francisco is sure handed with few errors, but their -24.3 zone rating is second to last in the NL. Cannibal Espassandim has a -13.6 zone rating at Second Base, lowest on the team. Hitting the ball on the right side may be a sound strategy when the playoffs start.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike McAvoy, with San Francisco running a Second Baseman with little range and pitcher who gives up a lot of contact, will you put runners in motion to try to generate offense?
With the season winding down, how do you think you’ve done in terms of the goals you’ve set for yourself and what Robert Nutting has asked of you?
Finances are always hard in Pittsburgh. Are there players under contract or due arbitration you feel you might have trouble bringing back next year?
For Vic Black, Mehki Lias has been DFAd and you have an open roster spot on your 28-man roster. Who will you call up to fill it?
How does the addition of Andrew Gimenez from the injured list change your team?
Today’s starting pitcher, Tristan Casas, has a team option for next year. How likely are you to pick it up?
TRIVIA 1: What pitcher has the most No-Hitters in their career?
TRIVIA 2: What two players have hit for the Cycle most often in their career?
PIT: Kevin Truitt (4-4, 5.46)
SF: Tristan Casas (8-5, 4.50)
Pirates 3 Key Stats
4: Shutouts the last six games: Pittsburgh has pitched great recently with four shutouts last week, and a fifth game where they allowed one run. It’s been a team affair as Kevin Truitt went 8 shutout in a win over Miami, Jayden Prescott went 6.1 shutout in a win over Miami, Bert Medrano went 6.2 shutout in a win over St. Louis, and Sergio Navarro went 8 innings of one-run ball in a win over St. Louis. The first game of the set, Bet Medrano got banged up so it was essentially a bullpen day that shutout Miami. Bad Company will look to keep the run of good pitching going tonight.
42: Brian Radcliffe Doubles: Radcliffe continues to grow nicely. After a solid 2029 where he put up 39 doubles, 23 homers, and had a .770 OPS, he’s grown that to 42 doubles, 25 homers, and an .804 OPS. That doubles mark is second in the NL, and one of the league pace. The home run power hasn’t been amazing yet, but it may get there as Radcliffe continues to put on strength. If the doubles turn into homers, Pittsburgh will have a star, but even if they don’t, they still have a winning player who stresses the defense with extra base hits.
.302: Tyler Freeman’s average: Freeman has played since 2025 and has never had an average above .252. Multi-hit games in four of his last five outings has him hitting over .300. Freeman’s always been adequate defensively, but he’s never hit. He has 21 career homers and a career OBP of .310. He needed a season where he was providing anything offensively to show he was worthy of being a starting Shortstop. Now 31, he’s proven he’s a starter and a good one.
Giants 3 Key Stats
19: Walks allowed by Tristan Casas: Casas has evolved into an excellent control pitcher this year, with 19 walks in 112 innings. His strikeouts are up as a result of pitching in the pen, but his control has been exceptional wherever he’s pitched. He’s forced hitters to put the ball in play, and while the Giants don’t have a great zone rating, their second in fewest errors. Pittsburgh can try to work the count, but they may have more success trying to win the BABIP game.
632: Plate Appearances for Nelle Willemsen: A former Top 25 prospect, Zipper Willemsen was plagued by circumstance early in his career. A deep Giants outfield relegated him to part-time duty as a rookie in 2027, and the same depth combined with a shoulder injury curtailed his 2028. Zipper had 458 career plate appearances entering last year. However, while Willemsen was stellar when in the lineup in 2027 and 2028, he hit just .211 last year with another very deep roster. Relegated to the minors for the middle of the year, he returned for the postseason and was a difference maker in San Francisco’s title run. However, he only had 621 career regular season plate appearances to his name. This year, he’s gotten another crack at a starting job and he’s seized it. His .295 average is excellent, and he’s clubbed 43 homers with 101 RBIs so far. He’s hitting like a star, and at 24-years-old, he may be a player who hits like a star for another decade.
-24.3: San Francisco’s zone rating: The Giants may have enough hitting and pitching talent for it to not matter, but defense is still a concern. San Francisco is sure handed with few errors, but their -24.3 zone rating is second to last in the NL. Cannibal Espassandim has a -13.6 zone rating at Second Base, lowest on the team. Hitting the ball on the right side may be a sound strategy when the playoffs start.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike McAvoy, with San Francisco running a Second Baseman with little range and pitcher who gives up a lot of contact, will you put runners in motion to try to generate offense?
With the season winding down, how do you think you’ve done in terms of the goals you’ve set for yourself and what Robert Nutting has asked of you?
Finances are always hard in Pittsburgh. Are there players under contract or due arbitration you feel you might have trouble bringing back next year?
For Vic Black, Mehki Lias has been DFAd and you have an open roster spot on your 28-man roster. Who will you call up to fill it?
How does the addition of Andrew Gimenez from the injured list change your team?
Today’s starting pitcher, Tristan Casas, has a team option for next year. How likely are you to pick it up?
TRIVIA 1: What pitcher has the most No-Hitters in their career?
TRIVIA 2: What two players have hit for the Cycle most often in their career?
