Pirates Split Squad Games
The Pittsburgh Pirates participated in a split-squad exhibition on Friday in Florida, suffering a 14-10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Bradenton and falling 9-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin.
Game Highlights Against the Phillies
During the matchup with the Phillies, the Pirates surrendered nine runs in the fourth inning after being ahead 3-0. Key contributions came from Ryan O’Hearn, Yordany De Los Santos, Derek Berg, and Omar Alfonzo, all of whom hit home runs. De Los Santos has now hit three home runs this spring, while O’Hearn has two to his name.
Pitching Performance
Starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft delivered a strong performance, throwing three shutout innings before being removed in the fourth after allowing two runs. He recorded five strikeouts while facing 12 batters.
Loss to the Blue Jays
In their loss to Toronto, the Pirates (9-5) experienced another rocky inning, conceding five runs in the fourth, despite initially leading 2-0. Jake Mangum excelled at the plate, going 2-for-3 in the leadoff position, while Dominic Fletcher contributed with a home run, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.
Upcoming Games for the Pirates
Pirates are set to face the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, with lefty Hunter Barco expected to start. They will also play against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.
Injury Concerns for Astros
In West Palm Beach, Fla., Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pena could miss opening day due to a broken finger that sidelined him during the World Baseball Classic. Pena fractured his right ring finger during a pre-WBC exhibition game and will be evaluated in two weeks, ahead of the Astros’ season opener on March 26 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Trends in Major League Baseball
In Glendale, Ariz., Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has noted a decline in doubles and triples, attributing it to players focusing more on exit velocity and launch angle, which may lead to fewer balls hitting gaps or lining the outfield. While singles and home runs increased, the count of doubles dropped from 7,771 in 2024 to 7,745, marking a continued decline in exciting plays on the bases.
