clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Series preview: Pirates, Phillies make trade before battling this weekend

The battle for Pennsylvania!

By Jeremy_Brener
Pittsburgh Pirates v Philadelphia Phillies Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Philadelphia Phillies (51-51) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (38-64), July 30-August 1, 2021

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Phillies SB Nation Site: The Good Phight

The Pirates get their first crack at their in-state rival as the Phillies head west to face the Buccos.

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

Projected Starters

Friday, 7:05 p.m. EST

Vince Velasquez (3-5, 5.54 ERA) vs. Wil Crowe (2-5, 5.89 ERA)

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. EST

Aaron Nola (7-6, 4.37 ERA) vs. JT Brubaker (4-10, 4.67 ERA)

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. EST

Spencer Howard (0-2, 5.72 ERA) vs. TBD

Projected Lineups

Phillies

  1. Jean Segura (2B)
  2. J.T. Realmuto (C)
  3. Bryce Harper (RF)
  4. Andrew McCutchen (LF)
  5. Rhys Hoskins (1B)
  6. Didi Gregorius (SS)
  7. Alec Bohm (3B)
  8. Odubel Herrera (CF)
  9. Starting Pitcher

Pirates

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

After a thwarted trade earlier in the week for Tyler Anderson, the Pirates and Phillies now come head-to-head at PNC Park this weekend.

Eventually, the teams were able to agree on a trade before Friday’s first game, with Braeden Ogle heading to Philly in exchange for catcher Abrahan Gutierrez, per MLB insider Robert Murray.

This weekend, the Pirates are set to face Vince Velasquez on Friday, Aaron Nola on Saturday and Spencer Howard on Sunday. Nola is the one that catches our attention the most, as he holds a 4.37 ERA.

The series also marks a return to PNC Park for Andrew McCutchen, who has not played an MLB game in Pittsburgh since 2018 as a member of the San Francisco Giants. This season, he’s batting .238 with 20 home runs and 58 RBI’s.

As for the Pirates, the team is still looking to raise the jolly roger for the first time since the Adam Frazier trade after being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers this week. Here’s to keeping hope alive!

More From Bucs Dugout