As the Pittsburgh Pirates (58-65; 29-33 away) and Texas Rangers (57-68; 32-30 home) prepare to clash at Globe Life Field on Monday, it’s clear that both teams are struggling to find their footing this season. The game is set to begin at 8:05 p.m. EST, with both squads aiming for a much-needed series-opening victory. Last season, the Rangers bested the Pirates in two of three encounters. Will Pittsburgh seize the opportunity for redemption in Texas this time around?
Pittsburgh’s Pitching Predicament
Returning home for the weekend, the Pirates faced a disappointing 10-2 loss on Sunday, marking their third defeat in a row and leaving them with a dismal 3-11 record in August. This recent performance is a reflection of a pitching staff struggling with a 5.28 ERA this month. Luis Ortiz will take the mound on Monday, bringing with him a solid 2.80 ERA on the road this season and a 1.147 WHIP. No opponent has scored more than three runs against Ortiz during his away games. However, the Pirates have lost their last four outings with him on the mound, highlighting a need for the bullpen to step up, as they rank 24th in ERA. Can the pitching staff find its rhythm in this matchup?
Offensively, the Pirates have encountered significant challenges, standing 21st in runs per game (4.15). This month has not seen much improvement, with the team ranking 23rd in batting average, 27th in on-base percentage, and 26th in slugging percentage. They sit at 24th in home runs and 26th in strikeout rate. Despite boasting the fourth-highest stolen-base percentage (84%), they have only managed 74 steals, placing them 18th overall. The Pirates also feature a modest walk rate of 8.0% (17th). Unfortunately, their struggles at the plate indicate that they often fail to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Key Injuries – Nick Gonzales, Andrew McCutchen
Texas Tries to Bounce Back
On the other hand, the Texas Rangers managed to avoid a four-game sweep against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, triumphing in extra innings. However, they remain over ten games out of the playoff picture. This season has been a rough ride for the defending champions, largely due to numerous pitching injuries. The absence of key players like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer is a significant factor contributing to the uncertainty regarding Monday’s starting pitcher. With the bullpen ranking 20th in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), 26th in Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and 27th in ERA, the Rangers are in a precarious situation. They wish to avoid a full bullpen day after a grueling stretch of ten games in nine days. Unfortunately, their options are limited going into this matchup.
At the plate, Texas has experienced a notable decline, averaging only 4.25 runs per game, which ranks 18th in the league. Several of their star players from 2023 have seen a drop in performance, resulting in the Rangers sitting at 18th in batting average, 19th in on-base percentage, and 23rd in slugging percentage. They are 17th in home runs and 23rd in stolen bases. This underwhelming offensive output comes despite holding the sixth-highest hard-hit rate in the league, along with the eighth-lowest strikeout rate and the 13th-best walk rate. Perhaps the momentum from Sunday’s win will carry over into Monday’s game.
Key Injuries – Evan Carter
Best Bets for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers
In this matchup between two struggling teams, the Pirates hold an advantage with a starting pitcher already announced. Ortiz’s impressive 2.80 ERA in away games makes him a reliable option to deliver solid innings. On the contrary, the Rangers have faced challenges with a troubling 5.54 ERA this month alongside a struggling bullpen.
Prior to Sunday, Texas had not scored more than four runs at home in seven consecutive games. Their offensive production has diminished significantly compared to last year. Although the game may be close, the Pirates’ pitching, particularly from Ortiz, is likely to be the deciding factor in securing a narrow victory.
