Pitching hasn’t been an issue for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Through the team’s first 80 games, their 3.81 team ERA ranks 11th in baseball.
The starting rotation has carried that line, and while the bullpen has been up and down, it’s starting to solidify. David Bednar and Dennis Santana have both been excellent. Since Bednar was promoted on April 19th, he’s posted a 2.03 ERA. Santana has a 1.48 over that same span. Braxton Ashcraft has also performed well in both bulk outings and high-leverage innings.
One name that’s flown under the radar is Isaac Mattson. Mattson made his first appearance this season on May 22nd. Since then, he’s appeared in 10 games and allowed just three runs. All three runs came via the home run. Outside of the long balls, he’s surrendered three hits to 45 batters faced. He’s also struck out 13 and walked just three.
It’s a small sample, but it’s hard not to think Mattson is for real. He’s using his fastball 70% of the time, and to great effect. He’s getting hitters to swing and miss at a high rate, and he’s beating them in the zone. Against righties, he pairs the fastball with a harder slider. That combination has helped him hold them to just one hit over 26 plate appearances. Lefties see a changeup that’s given them a very hard time, earning a strike 77 percent of the time.
On Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers, Mattson struck out Isaac Collins to strand a runner on second in a one-run game. He showed emotion as he walked off the field that backed up his performance. While Mattson still has a lot to prove, he’s off to a great start.
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