Pittsburgh Pirates: Previewing Three-Game Interleague Clash vs Tigers

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 18: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by Bryan Reynolds #10 following a three run home run during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 18, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 18: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by Bryan Reynolds #10 following a three run home run during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 18, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Apr 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (34) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (34) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Three
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Time: 1:10 PM EST
Pitching Matchup: JT Brubaker (1.76 ERA, 3.56 FIP) vs José Ureña (5.52 ERA, 3.92 FIP)

As is the case in game one, on paper, the Pittsburgh Pirates appear to have an advantage in the pitching matchup for the series finale on Thursday afternoon. This advantage, however, appears to be greater than the advantage in game one.

Through his first three starts this season Brubaker appears to be emerging as a long-term building block in the Pirate starting rotation. In 15.1 innings pitched Brubaker has walked just 7.6% of batters faced, struck out 27.3% and has allowed just a single home run. This has led to him posting his strong 1.76 ERA. His whiff rate and strikeout rate rank in the 64th percentile of baseball, while his chase rate is in the 71st percentile.

Ureña is in his first season with the Tigers. The former Opening Day starter of the Miami Marlins has struggled in his first three starts with Detroit, posting a 5.52 ERA. While his strikeout rate is a healthy 25.4%, he has walked an alarming 16.4% of batters faced.

The 29-year-old righty especially struggles against LHHs. This season LHHs are slashing .387/.472/.484 off of Ureña. In his career, LHHs have hit for a healthy .276/.346/.470 slash line off of him. Thursday afternoon could be a big day for the likes of Adam Frazier, Bryan Reynolds, Colin Moran and Gregory Polanco.