The Pittsburgh Pirates got off to a very hot start in the 2024 MLB Season. They were 9-2 out of the gate, as they were clicking on all cylinders. Unfortunately for them, things unraveled as quickly as they clicked.
The Pirates followed that start up with a 2-9 stretch, evening their record up at 11-11. Riding a six-game losing streak after getting swept by the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh started a series with the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park.
These are huge games for the Pirates, as the Brewers sit atop the NL Central with a 14-6 record entering the series. That record now sits at 14-7, as Milwaukee was introduced to Jared Jones for the first time.
Jones, Pittsburgh’s rookie phenom starting pitcher, has been on fire this season. While the team went 1-3 in his first four starts, it wasn’t for a lack of performance on his end. Jones has been electric, striking opponents out at a high rate while limiting the damage done against him.
On Monday night against Milwaukee, he continued that hot streak. Jones pitched six innings, giving up only four hits and one earned run, which came on a homer by Rhys Hoskins. He only walked two batters while striking out seven Brewers. His punchout of Brice Turang has since gone viral.
That performance was a historic one for Jones. He extends the Pirates franchise record for starts to begin a career with 7+ strikeouts to five. According to Joe Block of the Pirates broadcasting team, via OptaSTATS, Jones is only the fourth pitcher in MLB history to record 7+ strikeouts in each of his first five starts.
Pittsburgh could not be happier about how things have gone to this point with Jones. Coming into the season, starting pitching was viewed as a weakness for the team, but through 23 games, it has been arguably the strongest part of the team.
Jones is leading the way, but reinforcements are not far behind. The Pirates recalled former top prospect Quinn Preister and are hoping he can figure things out. Sooner than later, their current top prospect Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft, will join the staff as well.
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