Pirates preview: Starting rotation spotlight
Breakout candidate
Joe Musgrove
He has yet to compile a winning record or an ERA under 4.06 in four seasons, but Musgrove looks poised to take his place atop the Pirates rotation. He’s no Gerrit Cole (compare paychecks), but perhaps that won’t turn out to be a bad deal the Pirates made with the Astros two years ago.
Pressure’s on
Mitch Keller
Keller was the Pirates’ top prospect in 2018, so it’s about time the 24-year-old right-hander helps shoulder some of the starters’ burden. He doesn’t need to be Stephen Strasburg, but an improvement over 1-5 and a 7.13 ERA (his numbers last season in 11 starts) would be welcome.
By the numbers
21 — Home runs allowed last season by Joe Musgrove, when he led the Pirates staff in starts (31) and innings pitched (170 1/3). It was fewer than Trevor Williams (27) and Chris Archer (25).
13 — Strikeouts by Steven Brault in 93 career plate appearances while hitting .265 with a home run and four RBIs. However, the designated hitter rule will take the bat out of his hands.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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