Pirates at Marlins
The Miami Marlins probably won't have too many winning streaks this season but they have a chance to record their first in 2018 when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Justin Bour homered and four pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Marlins picked up a 7-2 win in the series opener.
It was just the second win in the past nine games for Miami, while the Pirates lost for the second time in seven road contests this season. J.B. Shuck went 4-for-4 with two runs scored in his first game for the Marlins and his first contest in the majors since 2016. The top five hitters in the Pittsburgh lineup were a combined 1-for-18 with six strikeouts and catcher Elias Diaz provided all the offense with a two-run homer in the fifth as the Pirates - who entered the day leading the National League in runs scored - went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Pittsburgh will give the ball to Jameson Taillon on Saturday as he looks to build upon his first career shutout while Trevor Richards goes for the Marlins.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.26 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (0-1, 8.64)
Taillon let up just on hit and struck out seven in the shutout of Cincinnati on Sunday at home, using 110 pitches to complete the gem. "He's focused, he's committed, he wants to get something done, as do all of them in there," manager Clint Hurdle told reporters of Taillon after the win. "He led the way today. And he showed the other guys in that rotation. Gave them a nice blueprint to follow moving forward." The 26-year-old allowed one run in five innings to get the win in his only prior career start against the Marlins last April in Miami.
Richards failed to complete five innings in his first two career starts, allowing three runs in four frames in a no-decision at Philadelphia on Sunday. Opponents are hitting .389 against the rookie, who has allowed five doubles and a homer in his first 8 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old Richards posted a 2.53 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) across two levels in the minors last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Marlins CF Lewis Brinson snapped a streak of 26 hitless at-bats with a base hit in the sixth in Friday's win.
2. Pirates LF Corey Dickerson is 15-for-32 during an eight-game hitting streak.
3. Miami C J.T. Realmuto (back) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Jupiter on Saturday.