Pittsburgh Pirates: Newcomers Impress, More Takeaways From Series Split in Milwaukee

An up and down series for the bullpen, newcomers impress, and more takeaways from the Pittsburgh Pirates splitting their four-game series in Milwaukee

Following a few weeks of good baseball, things are trending in the wrong direction again for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Following a victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, the Pirates were 7-4 in their previous 11 games and had won back-to-back series.

The team went for a third consecutive series victory when they played Detroit on Wednesday afternoon but lost 6-3. This was followed by the Bucs going to their House of Horrors in Milwaukee. To their credit, the team was able to split a four-game series against a good Brewer team.

Pittsburgh is now 13-18-3 in series played this season. Their overall record now sits at 50-61 on the season. However, they are 30-53 since their strong 20-8 start which is a .361 winning percentage. A .349 winning percentage is a 58-104 pace over a full 162 game season. So, for the last 15 weeks the Pirates have played at a 58-104 pace. Not good!

Next up for the Pirates is a four-game series back home at PNC Park against one of the best teams in basbeall, the Atlanta Braves. It could be an ugly four days for the Bucs. But before we look ahead to the Braves, let's take one last look back at the trip to Milwaukee with takeaways from the Pirates splitting four against the Brewers.

Up and down series for the bullpen

Earlier this week I wrote about the implosion of the Pirate pitching staff since the end of April. This has included both the starting rotation and the bullpen. Against the Brewers, it was an up and down series for Pirate relievers.

In Thursday's 14-1 series opening loss Jose Hernandez allowed 3 runs in the 6th inning, Dauri Moreta then followed by allowing 3 runs of his on in the 7th inning. Few Pirate relievers, if any, have regressed more following a strong April than Hernandez and Moreta.

For the most part, the bullpen pitched well in a game two victory. However, Carmen Mlodzinski allowed a run while stranding the bases loaded in the 7th inning. But Yerry De Los Santos, Ryan Borucki, Colin Holderman, and David Bednar all posted zeroes.

Saturday night David Bednar was handed a 2-1 lead in the 9th inning. Bednar allowed a lead off single, and following a wild pitch that runner was able to score on a one-out single by Sal Frelick to tie the game. Angel Perdomo took the ball in the 10th inning, and after issuing a pair of intentional walks surrendered a walk off single to Blake Perkins. Even though Perdomo was given the call to issue a pair of intentional walks and had to deal with the extra innings runner starting on second base, he was all over the place with his control and never looked comfortable on the mound.

After Johan Oviedo pitched 7 scoreless innings on Sunday, Holderman made quick work of the Brewers in a scoreless 8th inning. A Ke'Bryan Hayes error led to Mlodzinski allowing an unearned run in the 9th inning on Sunday, but he was still able to close the door in the victory.

Alika Williams impressing

Infielder Alika Williams was selected 37th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 MLB Draft. On June 2nd, the Rays traded him to the Pirates in exchange for reliever Robert Stephenson. Then on July 25th, Williams was promoted to the majors for the first time and he's done nothing but impress since the Pirates promoted him.

William started the first three games of the series. In those three games he went 4-for-8 with three walks and a double. In 28 plate appearances since being promoted to the majors Williams owns a .333/.429/.417 slash line with a 138 wRC+, 14.3% walk rate, and a strikeout rate of just 17.9%.

Coming through the minors Williams was known for his defense. That has been on display with him playing a smooth, and much needed settling type of defense at shortstop which has been something the Pirates have been lacking all season.

Williams may never be an every day player in the majors, but his performance with the Pirates thus far certainly makes it seem that him carving out a role as a utility player is very possible. The final eight weeks of the season will present an opportunity for Williams to put a down payment on an Opening Day roster spot for 2024. Thus far, Williams has been making that down payment.

Two newly acquired players debut in Pirate debuts

Newly acquired lefty Bailey Falter started for the Pirates on Saturday and impressed. Falter allowed 1 run on six hits, a walk, and two strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. Falter pitched well for the Phillies last season and is a pitcher the Pirate front office tried to acquire last summer. He should continue to make starts down the stretch this season while being given the opportunity to pitch deeper into games.

Another player the Pirates acquired at the trade deadline who made his debut with the team in this series was first baseman Alfonso Rivas. Rivas bat lead off while making his Pirate debut on Thursday and drew a walk in the first at-bat of the series. This was the start of a strong series for Rivas.

Rivas started all four games in the series and got on base in three of the four games. He drew a walk in game one, hit a home run and a triple as part of a three-hit performance in game two, and doubled in game four. For the series, Rivas was 4-for-15 with a home run, double, a triple, two walks, and three RBI.