On a day that holds special significance in the world of baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up to host the New York Yankees at PNC Park for a thrilling MLB showdown. This Friday, September 15, 2023, marks Roberto Clemente Day, a date etched in history to honor the legacy of the Pirates’ Hall of Famer, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash while delivering vital supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year’s Eve in 1972.
While the Pirates (69-78) are not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, their hopes hang in the balance. They trail by six-and-a-half games in the National League’s third wild-card spot race, with only 15 games remaining in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Pirates are riding a wave of momentum, having secured three consecutive victories leading up to their series opener against the New York Yankees (74-73).
Key pitching matchup
In this high-stakes game, all eyes will be on the pitching duel. The Pirates will rely on right-hander Johan Oviedo, who boasts an 8-14 record in 29 starts. Oviedo has accumulated a 4.34 ERA and a 1.342 WHIP over 161.2 innings. However, questions have arisen about his recent performances, with Oviedo failing to surpass the fourth inning since his exceptional two-hit shutout against Kansas City on August 28.
On the other side, the New York Yankees will deploy their star pitcher and former Pirate, Gerrit Cole. Cole, with an impressive 13-4 record in 30 starts, currently leads the American League with a remarkable 2.79 ERA. Additionally, he maintains the best WHIP in the league, standing at 1.027, and has thrown an impressive AL-high 187 innings.
Recent performances
Thursday saw the Pirates bask in a stellar performance by Mitch Keller. The young pitcher allowed a mere two hits over eight shutout innings, leading the Pirates to a 2-0 victory over the Nationals at PNC Park. Keller’s masterful performance included seven strikeouts and just one walk. Jack Suwinski provided the necessary run support with a solo homer in the second inning, and Alfonso Rivas added another solo shot in the fifth.
In contrast, the New York Yankees faced a challenging day-night doubleheader against Boston. They secured an 8-5 win in the nightcap, thanks in large part to Aaron Judge’s grand slam. However, the Yankees struggled in the opener, suffering a 5-0 defeat. Oswald Peraza added a bright spot, hitting his first home run of the year in the ninth inning.
Injury update
Unfortunately for the Yankees, their highly touted prospect Jasson Dominguez, who made an electrifying debut with four homers in his first eight MLB games, is set to undergo Tommy John surgery next week. This procedure is expected to keep Dominguez sidelined for an estimated nine to ten months.
How to watch Yankees vs. Pirates
Baseball enthusiasts eager to witness this captivating matchup can catch all the action live on FuboTV or ATT SPORTSNET PITTSBURGH. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET. Regional restrictions may apply, so be sure to check local listings for availability.
As baseball aficionados around the world celebrate Roberto Clemente Day, the stage is set for an exciting clash between the Pirates and the Yankees, making this a game that fans won’t want to miss.
