Pittsburgh Pirates' Kevin Correia to start Tuesday’s game against Atlanta Braves – MLB News
Pittsburgh Pirates have named Kevin Correia to start Tuesday’s game against Atlanta Braves. This will be the last start for Correia this season.
Correia, it is pertinent to mention, will be a free agent after the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates have been eliminated from the National League Wild Card race as a prospect they might not have anticipated until the first half of the season when they were among the top three teams of the National League Central.
However, with the last game-series to be played here, the Pirates have turned to one of the pitchers that have remained successful. It was in the beginning of September that Correia returned, having had five starts with 3.99 ERA and 20 strike-outs in just over 29 innings that he has pitched.
That quality pitching is what the Pirates are expecting Correia to repeat here. The team manager shed some light while speaking about Correia.
"There's a lot to like about Kevin," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It goes back to hunger, that can be invaluable. Kevin loves to compete -- at everything -- one of the things that strengthened him [when booted from the rotation for a month]. There's not a game when he takes the mound that he doesn't think he will win -- can't say that about every starting pitcher I've ever had."
Having booked their place for the Wild Card game, Braves will have start the playoffs on Friday. The three games here against the Pirates will provide an opportunity to assess the players that the Braves intend to play.
If the Braves decide to rest a few key players, the Pirates will be able to assert more pressure on the team. Winning the series for the Pirates, importantly, will end the season with a positive note.
With 193 hits and scoring 107 runs, it is Andrew McCutchen who will have a chance to show his effectiveness as the instrumental batter for the Pirates. He is leading the National League in both hits and runs. If he continues, it will put him in line with Hall of Famer right fielder Paul Waner who had done it back in 1934.
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