Megan: Last night, the Pirates had the Dodgers right where they wanted them, and then Tommy Edman ripped our hearts out with a two-strike, walk-off single in the tenth. But we're back today, and we've got a series to even up. I'm Megan, and this is Beatline.
Steve: And I'm Steve. That was a tough one, but the beauty of baseball is you get to flush it and go right back at them. And tonight, the Pirates have a chance to do something special.
Megan: Welcome back to Beatline, the only daily show that bleeds black and gold. We're live from the heart of Pirates Nation, and we've got a packed hour for you.
Steve: That's right. We're going to break down last night's heartbreaker, look ahead to tonight's pitching matchup, and then we're going to get into the hitters and bullpen questions that could decide this series.
Megan: Plus, we're going to give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction that might just surprise you. Stick with us, because this is going to be good.
Megan: Alright Steve, let's start with last night. The Pirates were up 4-3 going into the bottom of the tenth, and then Edman happened. What did you see?
Steve: It was a classic bullpen battle. The Pirates' relievers did their job for most of the night, but in the tenth, the Dodgers just kept fouling off pitches and finally got a slider up in the zone. Edman didn't miss it.
Megan: Yeah, that walk-off hurt. But the bigger picture is that the Pirates are now 63-67, sitting fourth in the NL Central. They've got to win this series to keep any wild-card hopes alive.
Steve: Exactly. And tonight, they've got a golden opportunity. The Dodgers are throwing a bullpen game, and the Pirates have one of their young arms on the mound.
Megan: Let's talk about that pitching matchup. Who's on the bump for the Pirates tonight?
Steve: It's Braxton Ashcraft, the right-hander, making his second start of the season. He's been solid in limited action, and he's got the stuff to keep the Dodgers off balance.
Megan: And the Dodgers are going with a bullpen game, which means we could see a lot of different arms. How does that change the Pirates' approach?
Steve: It means they need to be patient. They need to work counts, get the starter out early, and then attack the middle relievers. The Dodgers' bullpen has been shaky at times, so the Pirates need to make them throw strikes.
Megan: We saw that approach work in the first two games, but last night they couldn't get the big hit. What's the one thing they need to do differently tonight?
Steve: They need to be more aggressive early in counts. They were taking too many hittable pitches last night, and it cost them. With a bullpen game, the first pitch is often the best pitch you're going to see.
Megan: Good point. And speaking of the Dodgers, they're 78-51, best record in the NL West. They're a tough team, but the Pirates have already shown they can hang with them.
Steve: Absolutely. They took the first game of the series, and last night was a coin flip. If the Pirates play their game, they can win this series.
Megan: Alright, let's shift to the hitters. Oneil Cruz has been on fire lately. What's he doing differently?
Steve: He's staying on the ball longer, using the whole field. He's not trying to pull everything. That's what we've been asking for all year, and it's paying off. He's hitting .312 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs.
Megan: And Bryan Reynolds has been steady as always. He had two hits last night. What's the key for him against a bullpen game?
Steve: He just needs to keep doing what he does: hit line drives, get on base, and drive in runs. He's the anchor of that lineup, and he's been consistent all season.
Megan: But there's a concern: the bullpen. The Pirates have had some shaky outings lately. Who's the guy they need to step up tonight?
Steve: I'd say Camilo Doval. He's been the closer, but he's had some rough patches. They need him to be sharp, especially if it's a close game in the late innings.
Megan: And injuries are a big story. Mitch Keller is on the 60-day IL, that's huge. Endy Rodriguez is on the 10-day, and Ryan O'Hearn is also on the 10-day. How do they fill those gaps?
Steve: It's tough. Keller was their ace, but they've got guys like Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler stepping up. And for the lineup, they've got Henry Davis behind the plate and guys like Nick Yorke and Billy Cook getting more at-bats.
Megan: But the big news is Paul Skenes. He had a rough outing Wednesday, and his ERA is now 3.95. He said he knows there's room to grow. What's your take on that?
Steve: I think it's a good sign. He's not satisfied, he's always working on something. But we need him to be the ace down the stretch. If he can get back to form, this team can make a push.
Megan: And let's not forget the ABS challenge system. It's been a topic all season. Did we see any challenges last night that changed the game?
Steve: There were a couple, but nothing that really swung the momentum. It's still a work in progress, but it's interesting to see how teams are using it.
Megan: Alright, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we'll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction. Stick with us.
Megan: Welcome back. We're talking Pirates-Dodgers, and it's time for our keys to the series. Steve, what's the number one key?
Steve: It's simple: get to the Dodgers' bullpen early. They're throwing a bullpen game tonight, so the Pirates need to be aggressive and put pressure on them from the first inning.
Megan: And what about the defense? The Pirates have been solid, but they need to make the routine plays, especially with the Dodgers' speed.
Steve: Absolutely. They can't give the Dodgers extra outs. That's how they lost last night. One mistake, and it's a walk-off.
Megan: Now, for the bold prediction. Yesterday, we predicted a sweep. After last night's loss, we're adjusting. What's your new prediction?
Steve: I'm going to say the Pirates win tonight and tomorrow to take the series. They're due for some breaks, and I think Ashcraft gives them a strong start.
Megan: I like that. And I'll say Oneil Cruz goes deep tonight. He's been seeing the ball well, and against a bullpen game, he could make a big impact.
Steve: That's a solid prediction. If Cruz goes yard, that's a good sign for the Pirates.
Megan: Alright, that's our show. Thanks for hanging with us. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline, and share it with your fellow Pirates fans.
Megan: One last thing: let's get back in the win column tonight. Let's go Bucs!
Steve: Go Bucs!