Pittsburgh Pirates: Grading the Series Loss in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 30: The Pittsburgh Pirates stand for the singing of the national anthem before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 30, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, which was postponed April 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 30: The Pittsburgh Pirates stand for the singing of the national anthem before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 30, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, which was postponed April 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 31: Trevor Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 31, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 31: Trevor Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 31, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Starting Pitchers

Friday night Derek Holland made what appeared to be his final start for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, after struggling, the trade deadline has come and gone and he is still in Pittsburgh. While Holland struck out a season-high eight batters on Friday night, he walked four, allowed three home runs, gave up six hits, and was charged with 8 runs in 5 innings pitched.

Saturday night, JT Brubaker allowed just 2 runs on three hits, three walks, a home run, and six strikeouts. However, he lasted just 5 innings. You want to see a deeper start than that from your starter.

Speaking of starts that are not deep, despite not allowing an earned run, Steven Brault went just 3 innings on Sunday afternoon. Brault walked just one and struck out five, but pitch count got him into trouble.

Just 3 of the 5 runs that Trevor Williams allowed on Monday night were earned, but, overall, he pitched poorly. Williams surrendered seven hits, a home run and issued two walks in 4+ innings of work. After allowing a home run to start the 5th inning, his night came to an end.

The Verdict 

A horrendous start sunk the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, and a poor one put them behind the eight-ball on Monday. Sandwiched in between, the team got two strong starts in terms of runs allowed. However, these two starts were too short. This hurts the overall grade for the rotation in the series.

Grade: C-