Series preview: Pirates face pair of aces this weekend in Milwaukee

Pittsburgh Pirates (23-38) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (35-27), June 11-13, 2021

Location: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Brewers SB Nation Site: Brew Crew Ball

After taking two of three in mid-April, the Pirates hope to have similar success this weekend as they return to Milwaukee to face the Brew Crew.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this weekend:

Projected Starters

Friday, 8:10 p.m. EST

Chase De Jong (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Brandon Woodruff (4-2, 1.42 ERA)

Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EST

Chad Kuhl (0-3, 5.61 ERA) vs. Corbin Burnes (3-4, 1.97 ERA)

Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EST

TBD vs. Adrian Houser (4-5, 3.66 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Pirates

1. Adam Frazier (2B)
2. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. Jacob Stallings (C)
5. Gregory Polanco (RF)
6. Phillip Evans (LF)
7. Erik Gonzalez (1B)
8. Kevin Newman (SS)
9. Starting Pitcher

Brewers

1. Luis Urias (2B)
2. Daniel Vogelbach (1B)
3. Christian Yelich (LF)
4. Avisail Garcia (RF)
5. Omar Narvaez (C)
6. Travis Shaw (3B)
7. Willy Adames (SS)
8. Jackie Bradley Jr. (CF)
9. Starting Pitcher

The Pirates have lost four straight coming into their series with the Brewers this weekend, and there’s a good chance that losing streak could be extended.

Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes take the mound in the first two games of this weekend’s series, and each of them hold an ERA under 2.00. The Pirates are dead last in the MLB in runs per game, which makes the challenge of scoring runs that much harder for the Buccos this weekend.

However, the Pirates did have success in their last trip to Milwaukee, taking two of three from the Brewers back in April, but neither one of the pair of Milwaukee aces made an appearance in that series.

The Pirates may have the odds stacked against them in this series, but there’s a reason why you play the games on the field and not on paper.