Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz went 0-for-2 on Saturday, but was able to coax four walks in the 5-4 loss to the Marlins in extra innings. The 26-year-old also swiped two bases in the contest, now with four total and at least one in each of the three games so far this season, and he also scored once. The 6-foot-7 slugger is 2-for-10 through three games with a 6:2 BB:K, and will look to keep getting on base on Sunday against Marlins starter Max Meyer, who pitched in just 11 games last season after working his way back from Tommy John. Meyer pitched to a 5.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 14 home runs allowed in those 11 starts. Redraft managers will, of course, keep starting Cruz in lineups, but he could be in play for DFS as well.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez is not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Miami Marlins. Rodriguez started the first two games of the season at first base. Instead, the Pirates will turn to Jared Triolo to cover first base and will bat seventh. Across his first two games of the season, Rodriguez has gone 0-for-6 with a 2:4 BB:K. Fantasy managers should expect Rodriguez to return to the starting nine on Sunday afternoon, for the final game of the four-game set against the Marlins. Triolo held a .216/.296/.315 slash line across 125 MLB contests last season in Pittsburgh. He went deep 10 times and went deep nine times. Given his offensive inconsistencies, he is not worth targeting in DFS facing Miami right-hander Valente Bellozo.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham are not in Saturday's starting lineup. Instead, Bryan Reynolds will serve as the designated hitter, which will open right field for Jack Suwinski. With Pham sitting out, Ji-Hwan Bae will cover left field. Through the first two games of the season, McCutchen has gone 1-for-7 with a double, an RBI, and a walk. Pham has also had a modest output in the batter's box, going 1-for-8 at the plate. However, Pham has swiped a bag in each of the first two games and added a double. Last season, Suwinski posted a .182/.264/.324 slash line with nine home runs and nine stolen bases. Bae struggled across his brief 29-game stint in the majors last season, holding a .189 AVG. Neither player should be targeted in DFS facing Miami right-hander Valente Bellozo.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar recorded the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Marlins, although it wasn't a clean one. In a 4-1 game in the ninth, the 30-year-old walked the first batter he faced, then gave up a two-run home run on the very next pitch before eventually getting the next three batters out (one strikeout). It was the righty's second appearance of the season, with the first coming on Thursday when he came on in a tie ballgame only to surrender two hits, a walk (no strikeouts), and a run, taking the loss in the contest. Bednar had been on shaky ground as it was after posting a 5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and seven blown saves that cost him the closer role late last year, so we'll see if another reliever is giventhe next opportunity. The Pirates don't have another great closer option waiting in the wings, however, so Bednar's job may be safe for now.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI during their victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday evening. Cruz reached first base for the first time in the fourth inning via a base on balls. He then proceeded to swipe second base and would then advance to third on a throwing error. This was already his second stolen base of the season as he swiped one on Opening Day. In his next at-bat, Cruz would launch a 115 mph two-run shot, which scored Tommy Pham. The 26-year-old is enjoying an impressive start to the campaign and is showing off both his raw power and elite speed. Last season, Cruz hit 21 home runs and swiped 22 bags, but could exceed those numbers given his impressive start. He will look to stay hot on Saturday, facing Miami right-hander Valente Bellozo.