Pittsburgh Pirates: Takeaways From Home Opening Series Victory Against the White Sox

Coming off of a series sweep at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox the Pittsburgh Pirates returned to PNC Park on a roll and secured a series victory over the Chicago White Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered their first home series of the 2023 season with some unexpected excitement around the team. While fans were excited for Andrew McCutchen's return to Pittsburgh, as well as AJ Burnett throwing out Opening Day's first pitch to Russell Martin, fans did not expect the strong road trip to start the season.

After losing two of three in Cincinnati against the Reds to start the season, the Pirates traveled to Boston's Fenway Park and swept the Red Sox. This gave the club a strong 4-2 road trip to kick off their 2023 campaign.

After defeating the Chicago White Sox 13-9 in their home opener the Pirates appeared primed for a second consecutive series victory. The Pirates did just this with a 1-0 victory over the White Sox on Sunday.

After taking two of three at home against arguably the best team in the American League Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 6-3 this season. Off to their best start since 2018, the last time the team finished with a winning record, they are 2-1 in their first three series played this season.

Before turning the page and looking ahead to a three-game series at PNC Park against the defending World Series Champion Houston Astros, we will take a look back at the team's series against the White Sox. Let's dive into the takeaways from the Pirates losing two of three at home to the White Sox.

Andrew McCutchen and Pittsburgh still love each other

This comes as no surprise whatsoever, but there is no denying the love that still exists between Andrew McCutchen and the city of Pittsburgh. Once again serving as a reminder that in sports certain players are never meant to play for more than one team.

During Friday's pre-game ceremonies, no one even came close to receiving the ovation that McCutchen did. When he stepped to the plate for his first at-bat speed up rules were thrown out the window as he received a long, loud ovation from the crowd that included "MVP" chants. Cutch took his helmet off, tipped it to the crowd, patted his chest, and was clearly emotional.

After Cutch singled in his first trip back to the plate at PNC Park as a Pirate the crowd erupted as "22" by Taylor Swift blasted over the loudspeakers and Cutch tipped his helmet to the crowd while standing at first base.

Following the game Cutch talked about his love for Pittsburgh and the Pirates. Friday's game was the start of a big series for the 2013 NL MVP who went 5-for-10 with a double, a home run, a stole base, and two RBI in the series.

Cutch is a Pirate through and through. He loves Pittsburgh, his family is from and loves Pittsburgh. The city loves him back even more than he loves the city. Hopefully his strong play continues throughout the season, and, hopefully, 2023 will not be it for McCutchen in the black and gold.

Early returns on free agent starting pitching additions aren't good

This offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates added a pair of veteran starting pitchers in free agency when they signed Rich Hill and Vince Velasquez to one-year deals. While it's only been two starts each, the early returns on Hill and Velasquez have not been good.

Hill started Friday's home opener. Despite being handed a 7-4 lead entering the 5th inning, Hill would fail to even get an out in the 5th let alone finish the innings. The veteran lefty allowed 7 runs on eight hits, three home runs, no walks, and a strikeout in 4+ innings pitched.

Through his first two Pirate starts Hill has allowed 10 earned runs on 11 hits, five home runs, two walks, and eight strikeouts in 9 innings pitched. Hill's biggest issue has been his command. He has been leaving far too many pitches in the good part of the strike zone where opposing batters can drive the ball.

At age 43, obviously, Hill's stuff is not what it once was. Hell, even in his prime he was never a true stuff pitcher. That only can cause him some problems. However, if he can fix his comman issues Hill should still be ok. It might be a release point issue, a plant issue, or something else completely, but if Hill and pitching coach Oscar Marin can fix whatever is plaguing Hill into leaving pitches over the strike zone he should be fine.

As for Velasquez, well, he's doing what he has done his entire career as a starting pitcher. Velasquez lasted just 2.2 innings on Saturday night, allowing 5 runs on six hits, four walks, and a strikeout. He has allowed 8 earned runs on 11 hits, five walks, two home runs, and four strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched.

In his career Velasquez owns a 5.02 ERA, 4.64 FIP, 24.7% strikeout rate, 1.58 HR/9, and a .466 opposing slugging percentage as a starting pitcher. As a reliever, Velasquez owns a 4.66 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 26.9% strikeout rate, 0.98 HR/9, and a .391 opposition slugging percentage.

It is clear that Velasquez is better suited for a relief role. However, for now at least, he is entrenched in the Pirate starting rotation. JT Brubaker is on the injured list and possibly out for the season, Mike Burrows left his start with Triple-A Indy on Saturday with an injury, and Quinn Priester's fastball would get destroyed in the majors. Basically, until Luis Ortiz develops a consistent third pitch, Velasquez is locked into the starting rotation.

New rules are being enforced

Umpire Laz Diaz and his crew made one thing abundantly clear this series - the new rules will be enforced. To the credit of Derek Shelton and his staff, the Pittsburgh Pirates look prepared to adjust to the new rules.

There were multiple instances in each game of the series in which the White Sox were called for a pitch clock violation. Both White Sox pitchers and hitters were guilty of violating the new rules throughout the series.

Then on Sunday afternoon the White Sox were penalized for a violation of the new shift rules. After Michael Koepch had thrown a strike to Oneil Cruz to make the count 2-2, Elvis Andrus was called for violating the new shift rules by being in the right field grass.

Due to the violationg by Andrus, Cruz's count was changed to 3-1. On the next pitch Cruz drew a walk. This violation proved to be costly as Cruz would come around to score later in the inning.

Umpires have made it clear that they are going to enforce the new rules. Over the weekend the White Sox were in violation of the rules way more often than Pedro Grifol would have liked. Again, tip of the cap to Shelton and his staff for seemingly having the team ready to go.

The bullpen (for the most part) pitches well again

Through the first two series of the season the biggest positive surprise for the Pittsburgh Pirates was the performance of their bullpen. For the most part, the bullpen pitched well again in their series victory over the White Sox.

On Friday, Dauri Moreta pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of Hill. Wil Crowe pitched the final 3 innings of the game to pick up the rare 3 inning saved. Crowe allowed runs in the 9th inning, but it was a result of Crowe pounding the strike zone while with a 13-7 lead with just three outs left to get. Had the game been closer, Crowe likely would have pitched that situation much differently.

Without the bullpen, the Pirates would not have defeated the White Sox to secure a series victory on Sunday. Moreta got a strikeout to end the 7th inning with two outs, a runner on base, and the Pirates leading 1-0. Colin Holderman pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning and David Bednar then slammed the door shut with a strikeout in a scoreless 9th inning.

Saturday night was the lone game the bullpen took some lumps in the series. Chase De Jong allowed a run in 2.2 innings, but the run he allowed came due to a defensive blunder by Andrew McCutchen on which he misread a base runner.

Rob Zastryzny and Duane Underwood Jr. combined to allow 5 runs in 1.2 innings pitched, but young lefty Jose Hernandez picked them up with 2 scoreless innings to close out the game.