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Series Preview: Cleveland Indians hope to beat up on woeful Pirates

By Daniel Hahn

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 22: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians talks with Jarrod Dyson #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates before the exhibition game at PNC Park on July 22, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 22: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians talks with Jarrod Dyson #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates before the exhibition game at PNC Park on July 22, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 28: Starting pitcher Aaron Civale #43 talks with catcher Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians as they walk off the field after the top of the fourth inning of game 1 of a double header against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on July 28, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 28: Starting pitcher Aaron Civale #43 talks with catcher Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians as they walk off the field after the top of the fourth inning of game 1 of a double header against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on July 28, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Wednesday Aug. 19, 7:05 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Aaron Civale (2-2, 3.60 ERA) vs Steven Brault (0-0, 5.14 ERA)

While Shane Bieber gets much of Cleveland’s headlines, Aaron Civale is off to a dominant start in 2020.

He has put together three quality starts in his four appearances so far this season. In his last start against Detroit, he allowed four runs and eight hits over six innings but lasted long enough to earn the win.

Pirates left-handed starter Steven Brault has 38 career starts in his career but has spent much of his career serving as a reliever. He has posted a career ERA of 4.89 and has struck out 240 batters in 280 career innings of work.

The left-hander hasn’t pitched more than three innings in any of his appearances so far this season and will likely be on another pitch limit Wednesday. Thus, the Pirates young bullpen will likely be asked to work several innings against the Indians’ hot lineup.

A hitter for Cleveland who will be excited to see Brault is outfielder Domingo Santana. The former Brewer is hitting .444 off the Pittsburgh left-hander and has taken him deep twice in his career.

Cesar Hernandez also has experience against Brault from his time with the Philadelphia Phillies and has gone 2-10 against the Pittsburgh southpaw.

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