Series Preview: Pirates at Brewers

We have some breaking news to share at the top of this post as outfielder Jarrod Dyson was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago White Sox for international pool money.

Okay, back to the series preview.

The Pirates no longer have the worst record in baseball in terms of winning percentage.

With their doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, the Pirates are now 9-19 on the season. They have won five of their last seven and are 8-8 against their division.

This weekend, the Pirates will play in Milwaukee in a four-game set against the Brewers. After getting swept by the Pirates last weekend, the Brewers went 2-2 against the Cincinnati Reds this week. They are now 13-17 on the season.

The Pirates’ best player this season has been Jacob Stallings. He has been good defensively while hitting .328/.400/.414 in 67 plate appearances. His 129 wRC+ is tied with Colin Moran for the team lead. He has been a nice surprise so far this year.

On the other hand, Josh Bell has been the worst player in baseball this season. That is no exaggeration. He is dead last among all position players in fWAR (-0.6).

In last weeks Pirates vs Brewers series preview, I noted how it seemed as though Christian Yelich was starting to turn things around. That may still be true. The fact remains though that he is hitting .190/.320/.448 on the season. He is also striking out almost 30 percent of the time. Against the Pirates specifically, Yelich is hitting .040/.143/.160. in 28 PA. His one hit against the Pirates was a home run.

Pitching matchups

Friday (8:10): Corbin Burnes (0-0, 3.42) vs Derek Holland (1-1, 6.17)

Saturday (7:10): Brett Anderson (2-2, 3.52) vs JT Brubaker (0-0, 4.80)

Sunday (2:10): Brandon Woodruff (2-2, 3.19) vs Steven Brault (0-1, 4.80)

Monday (7:40): TBD vs Trevor Williams (1-5, 5.34)