Bachar got himself into a jam in both the second inning and third inning, but worked out of them and finished with both four strikeouts and three scoreless innings in the victory.<\/p>\n
![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01m0pnww1v300181d8d3.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n
Aug 16, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Lake Bachar (71) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
The Pirates acquired Bachar at the trade deadline from the Miami Marlins<\/a> and he’s pitched well<\/a> for his new team, with a 3.27 ERA over five outings and 11.0 innings pitched, 12 strikeouts to six walks, a .179 BAA and a 1.18 WHIP.<\/p>\n Bachar should give the Pirates three innings and then Mlodzinski can come in and provide a bigger bulk role, if possible.<\/p>\n He also has pitched just once since his last start vs. the Red Sox, in the series opener vs. the Dodgers on Aug. 21, walking three batters, but throwing a scoreless frame in the seventh inning.<\/p>\n It’s a big chance for Bachar to continue showing his reliability out of the bullpen, but doing so in the starting role this time.<\/p>\n Can Mlodzinski Finally Pitch How the Pirates Expect Him to?<\/p>\n The Pirates have this hole in the starting rotation after Mitch Keller<\/a> suffered a right arm teres major muscle injury, landing him on the 60-day injured list and ending his season.<\/p>\n Mlodzinski, who already had a two-month stint in the Pirates rotation, went right back into that spot, but struggled massively<\/a> in his second stint this season.<\/p>\n Aug 12, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the second inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n He posted a 14.04 ERA, 13 earned runs over 8.1 innings pitched, five walks to five strikeouts, two home runs, 20 hits (21.00 H\/9), 3.00 WHIP and a .455 BAA, with a 53.8% hard-hit rate. <\/p>\n The Pirates lost all three of his starts and his poor pitching put them into a tough situation early in those games.<\/p>\n Mlodzinski is much better coming out of the bullpen, but he’s also had a bulk role before in this season.<\/p>\n He pitched two bulk role outings vs. the Washington Nationals on April 15 and Colorado Rockies on May 14, both at PNC Park, and gave up a combined two runs over 11 innings.<\/p>\n Mlodzinski has also posted a 2.15 ERA as a reliever this season and that might just be where the Pirates will get the most out of him over the last five weeks of the season.<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01m0ppc291k2awnkazqm.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google