Game Thread: Taillon takes on the Brew Crew

Jameson Taillon (4-5, 3.94) takes the hill as the Pirates, winner of four of their last five games, try to make up more ground against the visiting division leaders, the Milwaukee Brewers.

After losing the opener last night by a score of 1-0, the Brewers send out their rookie sensation Freddy Peralta (1-0, 3.72) who’ll be making only his third start in the major leagues. However, the right-hander who just turned 22, had a memorable debut against the Rockies on May 13, striking out 13 in 5 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings. His second start sic days later was not as kind as he walked six and allowed four runs in four innings. resulting in his demotion back to Triple-A Colorado Springs where he has since made five more starts (three of them scoreless). He’s made 23 career starts at Double-A and Triple-A, with a combined ERA of 2.49 along with 4.3 walks and 12.9 strikeouts every 9 innings.

Despite Peralta’s gaudy k-rates, in his small sample of MLB work Peralta has averaged only 90.9 mph on his fastball, while throwing it a Colon-like 87% of the time, followed by his curve at 12%. In his 14 appearances this year in both the majors and minors, he’s allowed a .484 to right-handed batters, striking out 41%, with a .665 OPS to left-handers along with a 30% k-rate.

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BREWERS

1 R Lorenzo Cain CF

2 L Christian Yelich LF

3 R Jesus Aguilar 1B

4 L Eric Thames RF

5 R Hernan Perez 3B

6 S Jonathan Villar 2B

7 R Manny Pina C

8 R Orlando Arcia SS

9 R Freddy Peralta RHP

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PIRATES

1 R Josh Harrison 2B

2 L Corey Dickerson LF

3 R Starling Marte CF

4 L Colin Moran 3B

5 R Francisco Cervelli C

6 S Josh Bell 1B

7 L Gregory Polanco RF

8 R Jordy Mercer SS

9 R Jameson Taillon RHP