The San Diego Padres are gearing up to welcome back starting pitcher Joe Musgrove as they face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-game series. Musgrove, who has been sidelined since May 26 due to right elbow inflammation, is set to take the mound for the Padres. Although he will be limited to 60 pitches, Musgrove is eager to make a significant impact for his team.
During his rehab start in the minors, Musgrove showcased his prowess by throwing strikes and hitting 96 mph with his fastball. Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed his optimism about having Musgrove back in the rotation, emphasizing the importance of healthy arms at this crucial stage of the season. Musgrove, who has a career record of 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA against Pittsburgh, is determined to help the Padres maintain their winning streak.
While the Padres have been on a hot streak, winning 16 of their last 19 games and securing a spot at the top of the wild-card race, the Pirates have been struggling. Despite a valiant effort in their recent game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pirates suffered their seventh consecutive loss, putting them five games behind the final wild-card position. Pitcher Mitch Keller acknowledged the team’s tough stretch and expressed determination to turn things around.
On the Pirates’ side, left-hander Marco Gonzales is expected to start against the Padres. Gonzales, who faced the Padres last week, will be looking to improve his performance and help his team secure a much-needed win. With closer David Bednar likely unavailable after a taxing outing, manager Derek Shelton faces tough decisions if the Pirates find themselves in a save situation.
As both teams prepare to face off, the stage is set for an exciting matchup between the Padres and the Pirates. With Musgrove’s return adding firepower to the Padres’ rotation and the Pirates looking to break their losing streak, fans can expect a thrilling game filled with intensity and determination from both sides. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated showdown between two competitive teams.