2025-07-06 Pirates at Mariners Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup

The Pittsburgh Pirates will send Paul Skenes to the mound, hoping his repertoire of high-velocity pitches and sharp movement can stifle the Seattle Mariners' offense. Skenes, known for his ability to generate swings and misses, will be a tough matchup for the Mariners' hitters. Seattle counters with Hayden Birdsong, a right-hander looking to utilize his command and pitch mix to navigate the Pirates' lineup. Birdsong's success will hinge on his ability to keep the ball down in the zone and avoid giving up hard contact.

Pirates Hitting Analysis

The Pittsburgh Pirates' offense comes into this game with an average team age of 28. One area where the Pirates offense has shown promise is in its ability to barrel the ball, posting a solid barrel percentage. This metric indicates they are hitting the ball with optimal launch angle and exit velocity, leading to extra-base hits. Facing Birdsong, the Pirates' hitters will need to be patient and selective, focusing on driving pitches that are elevated in the zone. They will need to capitalize on Birdsong's mistakes and string together quality at-bats to generate runs.

Mariners Hitting Analysis

The Seattle Mariners' offense, with an average team age of 29, aims to exploit Skenes' tendencies on the mound. One challenge for the Mariners is their strikeout percentage, which indicates they are prone to swinging and missing. This could play into Skenes' strengths, as he thrives on generating strikeouts. For the Mariners to succeed against Skenes, they must shorten their swings, focus on making contact, and force him to work deep into counts. If they can do that, they may be able to raise his pitch count and get into the Pirates bullpen earlier than expected.

Pitcher Effectiveness vs. Hitter Success

A critical aspect of this game will be the clash between Skenes' ability to induce swings and misses and the Mariners' struggle with their strikeout percentage. If Skenes can consistently locate his fastball and slider, he could dominate the Mariners' lineup and keep them off balance. However, if the Mariners can lay off borderline pitches and force Skenes to come into the strike zone, they may be able to get to him. On the other side, Birdsong's ability to limit hard contact will be tested by the Pirates' solid barrel percentage. If Birdsong can keep the ball on the ground and induce weak contact, he can neutralize the Pirates' power and keep them from scoring runs. But if the Pirates' hitters can elevate the ball and drive it with authority, they could have a big day against the Mariners' right-hander.

Bullpen Outlook

The bullpen performance will also be a key factor in deciding this game. Both teams will likely rely on their relief pitchers to bridge the gap between the starters and the closer. Which ever team's bullpen can hold the opposition down will have the advantage in the late innings. Look for the bullpen to be the difference maker in a close ballgame.

Intangibles

This interleague matchup presents a unique challenge for both teams as they don't face each other regularly. Each team will be looking to exploit the other's weaknesses and gain an edge. The team that can execute its game plan more effectively and capitalize on opportunities will likely come out on top.

Final Thoughts

This game promises to be a closely contested affair between two teams with contrasting styles. The Pirates will rely on Skenes' power and the Mariners will look to manufacture runs and play solid defense. Ultimately, the team that can execute its game plan more effectively and take advantage of opportunities will emerge victorious in this interleague battle.

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