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Pirates at Rockies - 6/30/2021

Can the Pirates avoid the sweep?

By Nathan J. Hursh
MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates (29-49) at Colorado Rockies (33-47), June 30, 2021, 3:10 p.m. EST

Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: 100.1 FM/1020-AM KDKA

Rockies SB Nation Site: Purple Row

Starting Pitchers

Pirates: Chad Kuhl (2-4, 5.05 ERA)

Rockies: Jon Gray (4-6, 3.97 ERA)

Probable Starting Lineups (subject to last-minute change)

Pirates

  1. Adam Frazier (2B)
  2. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
  3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
  4. Ben Gamel (RF)
  5. Phillip Evans (1B)
  6. Kevin Newman (SS)
  7. Michael Perez (C)
  8. Ka’ai Tom (LF)
  9. Chad Kuhl (P)

Rockies

  1. Raimel Tapia (LF)
  2. Garrett Hampson (CF)
  3. Charlie Blackmon (RF)
  4. CJ Cron (1B)
  5. Ryan McMahon (2B)
  6. Brendan Rodgers (SS)
  7. Joshua Fuentes (3B)
  8. Dom Nunez (C)
  9. Jon Gray (P)

The Pirates have not scored a single run in two days. Yesterday they barely avoided being no-hit. Looking at today’s lineup, things look a bit better with Bryan Reynolds returning after a scheduled day off. That said, when looking at four through nine, it is hard to imagine a more abysmal set of players. Ben Gamel is hitting fourth. That’s all you need to know. If one through three can’t get rolling, there is a real chance that the Pirates get shut out for a third straight game.

As far as the pitching matchup, Chad Kuhl faces off against Jon Gray. Kuhl has been solid in his last two starts, allowing one run over six innings in each. In his last outing, he struggled a bit with his command by walking three hitters. He made for it though by forcing ten ground balls. Keeping the ball on the ground will key in this one.

In Gray’s last outing, he was excellent as he struck out ten over five innings pitched. Against the Pirates last month, he wasn’t as sharp. In that game, he lasted just three innings while allowing three earned runs in a 7-0 seven-inning loss.

Sadly for Elias Diaz, he will not get the chance to homer for a third straight game against his former team. That is of course if he does not get the opportunity to pinch-hit.

Can the Pirates' offense get going and help them avoid the sweep? We’re hoping so. Go Bucs.

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