Pittsburgh Pirates: Previewing First Trip of the Season to Milwaukee

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Chad Kuhl #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on April 13, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Chad Kuhl #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on April 13, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Apr 10, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser (37) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser (37) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Game One
Date: Friday, April 16, 2021
Time: 8:10 PM EST
Pitching Matchup: JT Brubaker (1.93 ERA, 4.64 FIP) vs Adrian Houser (1.80 ERA, 4.84 FIP)

Friday night’s pitching matchup will feature a pair of starting pitchers who are off to strong starts this season. JT Brubaker will toe the rubber for the Pittsburgh Pirates while Adrian Houser will make the start for the Brew Crew. Both Brubaker and Houser will be making their third starts of the season.

Brubaker entered the 2021 season looking to determine if his long-term home with the Pittsburgh Pirates would be in the starting rotation or the bullpen. Through two starts, he is making a strong push to lockdown a permanent rotation spot.

After last just 4 innings in his first start Brubaker went 5.1 strong in his second outing. The young righty has allowed just 1 run in each of these starts, with the lone run he allowed in his second start coming on a solo home run which is the lone home run he’s allowed through two starts. Brubaker’s slider has looked like a plus pitch and he’s struck out 10 batters while walking just 5.

Through his first two starts this season Houser has posted a 1.80 ERA. However, he has pitched just 10 innings, having gone 5 innings in each start, and he’s walked 14.6% of batters faced while striking out just 17.1%. If Pirate batters can be patient at the plate then they should be able to find some success against Houser on Friday night.