Pirates at Phillies
The Pittsburgh Pirates' high-powered offense has them atop the National League in runs scored with 99, while their 7-2 road record has elevated the club to the penthouse in the Central Division. Fresh off a 10-run uprising, the Pirates will travel east across the Keystone State on Thursday to open a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Josh Bell recorded a three-RBI performance for the second time in four contests on Wednesday as Pittsburgh posted a 10-2 romp over Colorado to salvage the finale of a three-game series. The 25-year-old also has gotten in his licks versus Thursday starter Jake Arrieta, against whom he is 7-for-14 with four extra-base hits (two homers) and two RBIs in his career. Like the Pirates, the Phillies have enjoyed early-season success, winning eight of nine before dropping two of three in Atlanta following Wednesday's 7-3 setback. Rhys Hoskins has recorded four RBIs and scored five runs during his five-game hitting streak for Philadelphia, which opens a 10-game homestand on Thursday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, NBCS Philadelphia Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (2-0, 0.89 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (1-0, 3.38)
Taillon recorded his second straight dominant outing, as he followed a one-hit shutout versus Cincinnati on April 8 by scattering four hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision at Miami six days later. The 26-year-old also pitched well in his last trip to the mound against Philadelphia, allowing four hits while striking out nine in five frames of a 3-0 triumph on July 4. Odubel Herrera is 3-for-5 with a homer versus Taillon, but the rest of the Phillies have gone just 3-for-13 against him.
Signed to a three-year, $75 million deal last month, Arrieta collected his first win after permitting three runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of Saturday's 9-4 victory at Tampa Bay. The 2015 Cy Young Award winner recorded 19 of his 25 outs via the ground ball before exiting after 88 pitches. Arrieta has gotten the better of Pittsburgh in his career, posting a 10-6 record while limiting the club to a .204 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh, which won five of seven versus Philadelphia last season, is the lone team in the majors to have its starting pitchers complete five innings in every game this year.
2. Herrera, who has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 contests, batted .308 versus the Pirates in 2017.
3. Pittsburgh RHP Joe Musgrove (shoulder) is expected to throw 25-30 pitches during a bullpen session on Thursday.