Series preview: Cleveland comes to town in hopes to end streak

Cleveland (38-28) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (23-44), June 18-20, 2021

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Cleveland SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner

It’s another interleague showdown as Cleveland comes to PNC Park.

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

Projected Starters

Friday, 7:05 p.m. EST

J.C. Mejia (1-1, 4.26 ERA) vs. Chad Kuhl (0-4, 6.52 ERA)

Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EST

Cal Quantrill (0-2, 3.11 ERA) vs. Wil Crowe (0-4, 6.75 ERA)

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. EST

Sam Hentges (1-1, 7.57 ERA) vs. JT Brubaker (4-5, 3.88 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Cleveland

1. Cesar Hernandez (2B)
2. Amed Rosario (SS)
3. Jose Ramirez (3B)
4. Eddie Rosario (LF)
5. Bobby Bradley (1B)
6. Josh Naylor (RF)
7. Rene Rivera (C)
8. Bradley Zimmer (CF)
9. Starting Pitcher

Pirates

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

Cleveland appeared to be rebuilding following the offseason trade of their star shortstop Francisco Lindor to the Mets. However, the team sits 10 games above .500 and they have their sights set on the postseason.

While Cleveland sits 10 games above .500, the Pirates are on a 10-game losing streak, the longest of the season.

Cleveland’s got a great pitching staff and Pittsburgh’s starters in the first two games of the series, Chad Kuhl and Wil Crowe, have yet to win a game this season.

The Buccos’ best chance to end the losing streak comes Sunday with JT Brubaker on the mound against 24 year-old Sam Hentges, who posts an ERA above 7.00.