Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates – September 17/19

Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates

When: Friday, September 17 – Sunday, September 19

Location: loanDepot Park, Miami, FL

The Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates meet for a late-season matchup at loanDepot Park in Miami as both come off series’ wins during the week.

The Marlins were able to take two-of-three in Washington to begin the week, highlighted mainly by some impressive performances from some of their younger players. Coming off a scheduled off-day on Thursday, the Marlins should be well-rested for this late-season matchup.

Miami enters play with a 62-84 record on the season, and in sole-possession of fourth place in the NL East. The Marlins have been good at home this season sporting a 38-34 record at loanDepot Park, as well as holding a 5-5 record across their last 10 games.

As mentioned previously, Pittsburgh also enters this series on a winning-note after taking two-of-three from the Reds during the week. The Pirates hold a 6-4 record across their last 10 games, which also includes two wins over the Nationals.

Pittsburgh currently stands at 54-92 overall, and fifth in the NL Central. The Pirates have struggled mightily away from home this season with a 20-51 record away from home, the second-worst in the major leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates Players to Watch

CF Bryan Reynolds

Reynolds is by-far Pittsburgh’s top hitter slashing .299/.385/.516 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI’s for the season. Entering play Thursday, Reynolds had collected a hit in five of his last seven games.

C Jacob Stallings

Acting as Pittsburgh’s primary catcher, Stallings has enjoyed a career-year posting a .701 OPS with eight home runs and 52 RBI’s in the largest single-season sample-size of his career. Stallings has posted a .717 OPS across his last 10 games.

RP David Bednar

The 26-year-old right-hander has enjoyed a phenomenal breakout 2021 campaign in year one with the Pirates. Pitching primarily in an eighth or ninth inning role, Bednar has posted a 2.18 ERA across 57.2 innings pitched.

3B Ke’Bryan Hayes

After a phenomenal 2020 season, the rookie third baseman has struggled at times this season. Hayes has however had a strong month of September so far batting .316 across his last nine games.

RP Chasen Shreve

Another Pirates reliever who has enjoyed a career-year in 2021 is Shreve. Across 48.2 innings pitched this season, the left-hander has posted a 3-1 record with a 2.77 ERA.

Start Times & Probable Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Friday, September 17 at 7:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: RHP Elieser Hernandez vs RHP Wil Crowe

Hernandez (MIA): 1-1, 4.14 ERA, 1.162 WHIP, 7 BB, 37 K

Crowe (PIT): 3-7, 5.97 ERA, 1.624 WHIP, 50 BB, 95 K

Game 2: Saturday, September 18 at 6:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: RHP Edward Cabrera vs RHP Bryse Wilson

Cabrera (MIA): 0-1, 6.61 ERA, 1.531 WHIP, 10 BB, 9 K – Marlins No. 2 Prospect

Wilson (PIT): 2-7, 4.97 ERA, 1.418 WHIP, 18 BB, 41 K

Game 3: Sunday, September 19 at 1:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: RHP Sandy Alcantara vs TBD

Alcantara (MIA): 9-13, 3.10 ERA, 1.055 WHIP, 48 BB, 185 K

Series Prediction

The Marlins and Pirates have only met once so far this season which was a four-game series in Pittsburgh back in early-June. The Pirates took three-of-four in the early-season series in which Miami was outscored 23-15.

While Pittsburgh won the series back in June, this series could be a different story with the Marlins pitching being the key.

Expect the Marlins to get three strong starts from Hernandez, Cabrera, and Alcantara to win at-least two over the weekend, while not necessarily ruling out a series-sweep.

Prediction: Marlins 2-1