Pirates Maholm Needs to Go Six Today

Pittsburgh Pirates left hander Paul Maholm makes his 24th start of the season this afternoon in Colorado. In his past five starts, Maholm has lost two and received no decisions in the other three.

Maholm has seven starts this season in which he has failed to pitch at least six innings. In those, Maholm has gone 0-3 with a 12.15ERA. When Maholm has pitched at least six frames this season, he is 6-3 with a 2.49ERA. Maholm’s last win was July 7 against the Astros, going six innings and allowing only two runs on 85 pitches.

Since the win against the Astros, Maholm has pitched eight innings against the Giants (no decision) and recorded seven strikeouts on 104 pitches. Maholm lasted only 4.2 innings against the Brewers on July 22 and allowed seven earned runs. Five days later he got the loss against the Giants, allowed eight hits and four runs.

In two starts this month, Maholm has pitched 13.1 innings, allowed sixteeen hits, and eight runs, all earned.

Key to the Game? Maholm has given up five home runs in his last four starts after allowing only five in his first 19 starts.