Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen pursues milestones vs. Playing cards

Because the Pittsburgh Pirates work to remain above .500, designated hitter Andrew McCutchen is poised to hit a milestone or two within the ongoing weekend sequence towards the visiting St. Louis Cardinals

McCutchen was the face of the Pittsburgh franchise earlier in his profession. He’s a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger winner and the 2013 Nationwide League MVP.

Now he’s again with the Pirates after spending 5 years with 4 different groups. McCutchen does not man heart area as he did earlier, principally serving because the DH, however he has been feted by Pittsburgh followers and has expressed heat emotions about being again

Within the Pirates‘ series-opening, 7-5 win on Friday, McCutchen went 2-for-4 with two singles. That leaves him three hits shy of two,000 for his profession. He’s additionally one double away from 400 and 5 homers away from 300

“If I keep wholesome, I’ll attain all of them,” McCutchen instructed the Pittsburgh Tribune-Overview. “That is the best way I take a look at it — keep wholesome all through the season and I am going to attain all of these. … It’s going to occur, and I am going to have a good time when it does.”

Whereas Pittsburgh is celebrating a long-time veteran, the Cardinals are embracing a rising star

Jordan Walker, the group’s top-rated prospect, was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, began in proper area and went 1-for-5.

Walker started the season with St. Louis and tied a big-league report for gamers 20 or youthful with a 12-game hitting streak to start out his profession. Ultimately, he was despatched to Memphis to work on his sport and since the Cardinals had a glut of outfielders. Walker turned 21 final week

His call-up got here as St. Louis put Lars Nootbaar (again) on the 10-day injured listing a pair days after itemizing him as day-to-day.

Meaning the Cardinals‘ beginning outfield on Friday consisted of Walker and two transformed infielders, Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan

“That is baseball,” St. Louis supervisor Oliver Marmol stated. “You work it out.”

On Saturday, St. Louis left-hander Jordan Montgomery (2-6, 4.48 ERA) and Pittsburgh right-hander Luis L. Ortiz (1-2, 4.35) are anticipated to start out.

Montgomery is tied for the group lead with 5 high quality begins however is 0-6 with a 5.03 ERA over his previous 9 begins. Most not too long ago, Montgomery allowed two runs in five-plus innings towards the Cleveland Guardians in a no-decision on Sunday.

“Simply began discovering a little bit momentum,” Montgomery stated. “Simply form of attacking hitters. Acquired in good counts and simply bought some fast outs. A lot better curveball. Changeup is getting there. Step in the best path.

“I’ve simply bought to maintain throwing. I can solely management a lot of (whether or not I get wins). Going to maintain going on the market and hold us in it.”

Montgomery is 1-2 with a 2.95 ERA in three profession begins towards Pittsburgh.

Ortiz, who misplaced his first two begins of the season, picked up his first main league win on Could 22 towards the Texas Rangers, then adopted with a no-decision his final outing, on Sunday at Seattle.

Towards the Mariners, Ortiz gave up three runs on 5 hits in 5 innings. He walked 4 and struck out six.

Ortiz has confronted the Cardinals as soon as, when he gave up six runs in two-thirds of an inning and took a loss on Oct. 1, 2022. Saturday might be a rematch, as Montgomery began bought the win in that contest after permitting two runs in six innings

–Discipline Stage Media