Game Thread: Bucs Try To Take Series

The Pirates will try to make it two out of three against Atlanta Thursday when Chris Archer (2-5, 5.66) takes on Mike Foltynewicz (1-4, 6.10).

Archer is coming off one of his strongest outings of the year, going seven innings in a victorious start on May 31. Archer got nine whiffs with his slider that game, the most he has had since Apr. 7. Atlanta, on the other hand, has been one of the worst hitting teams in baseball against sliders, ranking 27th in baseball with a .254 team wOBA.

After an All-Star campaign last year, Foltynewicz has struggled throughout 2019. It appeared he was getting back on track after quality starts on May 19 and 24, but he was tagged for five runs against the Tigers on May 31. Since his first start of the year on Apr. 27, no pitcher in baseball has allowed more home runs than him (13).

First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m..

Lineups

Atlanta

CF Ronald Acuna Jr.

SS Dansby Swanson

1B Freddie Freeman

3B Josh Donaldson

RF Nick Markakis

LF Austin Riley

C Brian McCann

2B Ozzie Albies

P Mike Foltynewicz

Pirates

2B Kevin Newman

LF Bryan Reynolds

CF Starling Marte

1B Josh Bell

3B Colin Moran

RF Gregory Polanco

SS Cole Tucker

C Jacob Stallings

P Chris Archer