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Dbacks vs Pirates: The Pitching Matchups

By Guillermo Salcido |

It’s not going to get any easier for the Snakes. A trip to Pittsburgh awaits the Dbacks after a series loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates are currently on a four game winning streak, including a three game sweep over the NL East-leading New York Mets. In three games against the Mets, the Pirates only surrendered six runs.

Here are the pitching matchups for the upcoming three game series between Arizona and Pittsburgh.

Aug 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Hellickson (8-8, 4.73 ERA, 103 K) vs Gerrit Cole (14-6, 2.48 ERA, 149 K)

Hellickson is coming off one of his finest outings of the 2015 season. It was an eight inning victorious effort in which only one run came across (unearned). Hellickson also struck out six Phillies on route to his eighth win of the season. That outing came at a great time, as Hellickson was getting absolutely throttled in his previous two starts. It was a combined eight innings in which he allowed ten runs.

  • Hellickson vs Pirates (Career): 0-1, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 6 K

This one’s going to be hard to swallow. Cole has been one of the elite pitchers of the National League, with a run at the Cy Young a possibility. Cole is one of five pitchers that is tied for the MLB lead in victories. Cole is also Top 10 in the National League in ERA and Strikeouts. The 24-year old out of UCLA was selected to his first All Star Game this past summer.

  • Cole vs Dbacks (Career): 2-0, 13.2 IP, 12 H, 3 ER, 12 K

Aug 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson (57) throws in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Anderson (5-5, 4.31 ERA, 79 K) vs Francisco Liriano (8-6, 3.19 ERA, 149 K)

It’s been two completely different results for Anderson since his return from the 15-day DL. His first start was a brilliant outing in which he tossed seven scoreless innings in a victory against Cincinnati. Then, he gets hammered to the tune of five runs in a five inning loss against the last-place Philadelphia Phillies. If the Pirates perform like their Pennsylvania brethren, Anderson could be in trouble.

  • Anderson vs Pirates (Career): 0-1, 9.2 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 8 K

Liriano, a former All Star back in 2006(!), resurrected his career once he arrived in Pittsburgh. The 31-year old had a career high in wins (16) back in 2013, his first season with the Pirates. Liriano is coming off a quality start (6 IP, 3 ER, 5 K) against the St. Louis Cardinals, which translated into a win. Liriano had an impressive July (3-0, 2.03 ERA, 32 K in 31.0 IP).

  • Liriano vs Dbacks (Career): 1-0, 18.1 IP, 12 H, 4 ER, 17 K

Aug 8, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Cincinnati Reds shortstop Eugenio Suarez (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Robbie Ray (3-8, 3.29 ERA, 71 K) vs J.A. Happ (4-7, 4.64 ERA, 95 K)

In this case, Ray’s record tells a truer story than his ERA. That is if you’re wondering about his current form. Ray has lost seven of his last eight decisions and his ERA has ballooned with each start. The mystique is fading and fading fast. In August, Ray is 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA. In his last outing, Ray did not make it past five innings as he was chased in the 5th, surrendering three runs in a tough loss.

  • Ray vs Pirates (Career): 0-1, 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 K

Once the prized piece in the Roy Oswalt trade between Houston and Philadelphia back in the summer of 2010, Happ was never able to realize the high ceiling placed for him. After experiencing a career year in 2009 (12-4, 2.93 ERA, 119 K) with Philadelphia, Happ was traded to Houston and then to Toronto and then to Seattle without any years of significance. Happ was a Trade Deadline acquisition for the Pirates a couple of weeks ago. (4th trade of his career).

  • Happ vs Dbacks (Career): 1-1, 20.0 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 22 K

Totals

Hellickson, Anderson, Ray vs Pirates (Career): 0-3, 5.58 ERA, 19.1 IP, 26 H, 19 K

Cole, Liriano, Happ vs Dbacks (Career): 4-1, 2.07 ERA, 52 IP, 35 H, 51 K

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