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Pirates vs. Brewers - 7/28/2021

With trade rumors looming, the Pirates will try to even up the series.

By Nathan J. Hursh
MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Arizona Diamondbacks Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Brewers (59-42) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (38-62), July 28, 2021 @ 7:05pm

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: 93.7 the Fan

Brewers SB Nation Site: Brew Crew Ball

Projected Starters

Brewers: Adrian Houser (6-5, 3.88 ERA)

Pirates: Max Kranick (1-1, 5.73 ERA)

Projected Lineups (subject to change)

Brewers

  1. Kolton Wong (2B)
  2. Willy Adames (SS)
  3. Omar Narvaez (C)
  4. Avisail Garcia (RF)
  5. Rowdy Tellez (1B)
  6. Tyrone Taylor (LF)
  7. Lorenzo Cain (CF)
  8. Luis Urias (3B)
  9. Adrian Houser (P)

Pirates

  1. Ben Gamel (LF)
  2. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
  3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
  4. Gregory Polanco (RF)
  5. John Nogowski (1B)
  6. Jacob Stallings (C)
  7. Rodolfo Castro (2B)
  8. Kevin Newman (SS)
  9. Max Kranick (P)

The Pirates have a new leadoff hitter tonight as Ben Gamel will try to spark an offense that has scored three total runs over their last three games. I’ll give credit to Gamel though. Since joining the Pirates, the 29-year-old outfielder has hit .267/.337/.444 with six home runs over 203 plate appearances. His OPS+ of 111 is nothing to scoff at either. Although the Pirates have the same starting eight as they did last night, perhaps the shuffling of the deck will lead to more offense.

Pitching for the Pirates is rookie Max Kranick. This will be his fourth career start. After tossing five perfect innings in his debut, Kranick has not been so lucky in the two starts after. Both outings lasted just three innings as the 24-year-old right-hander allowed three and four earned runs respectively. Tonight will be his first career home start.

As far as the Brewers’ lineup goes, it looks nearly identical to last night’s lineup. Instead of having Jackey Bradley Jr. manning left field, Milwaukee will trot out Tyrone Taylor. I will be honest, I have never heard of this player. That said, his slash line of .253/.339/.475 is quite impressive. OPS+ wise, he is sitting at 117.

Pitching for the Brewers will be Adrian Houser. In three starts against the Pirates this season, Houser has been mostly solid. Over 16.2 innings, he’s allowed six earned runs (3.24 ERA) in one win, one loss, and one no-decision. Against Houser lifetime, both Bryan Reynolds and Kevin are 4-13 with a home run. Jacob Stallins has also homered against Houser in his career, although that is his only hit against him over 11 career at-bats.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, keep an eye on players hugging. Go Bucs!

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