Bubba

Chandler

That’s pretty much the same line Braxton Ashcraft had in a win for the Pirates last night, but Ashcraft wasn’t matched up with Cristopher Sánchez and this turned out to be an 8-0 loss for the Pirates. Chandler struck out six, but he managed just seven whiffs on 51 swings and a 22 percent CSW. It still seems like Chandler, who topped out at 101.5 mph tonight, will find another gear at some point, but there isn’t much to be encouraged about in his numbers. He’ll likely face the Nationals on Sunday.

Chandler gave up nine hard-hit balls, walked three and struck out four yet outdueled Bryce Miller, who allowed three hard-hit balls, walked none and struck out 11. Both gave up five hits, but while two of Miller’s were homers, Chandler’s produced only six total bases. It’s the fourth straight outing in which Chandler has allowed two runs or fewer. It sure would be nice to see him improve on his 21 percent strikeout rate, 13 percent walk rate and 35 percent groundball rate, but he’s getting the job done of late. He’s due to pitch in Philadelphia next week.

It’s always tense when a pitcher who hasn’t been there best has to pitch against the Rockies in Coors Field. Chandler somewhat stood up to the test in terms of limiting damage, but his ability to generate swings-and-misses continues to be inconsistent. He forced just nine total whiffs and only one came from his slider after he seemed to turn a corner with that pitch last time out. His fastball is incredible, it just can’t be the only thing he uses to try and get major league hitters out. He’s scheduled to face the Mariners at home next time out.

Chandler tossed two clean innings, then gave up a run on a pair of hits in the third. He settled in for a clean fourth and fifth, then departed with two runners on and two outs in the sixth at 84 pitches. Overall, it was an encouraging start for the 23-year-old right-hander as he walked just one batter for only the third time in 13 starts. Chandler will look to build on his performance when he takes a 4.76 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 68/41 K/BB ratio across 68 innings into a start against the Rockies in Colorado on Friday.

Chandler struck out seven and walked two while pitching in bulk relief. Despite entering after an opener, he logged his longest outing since April 17. The Pirates recently bumped Carmen Mlodzinski from the rotation when Jared Jones came back, so Chandler needs to keep pitching like this to hold his spot. His next start lines up for a favorable matchup at home against Miami.

Chandler served up a two-run homer to Yordan Alvarez in the first inning. He tossed a scoreless second, then surrendered an unearned run in the third after the leadoff man reached on an error. The Astros would bring one more run across in the fourth on a pair of hits. Chandler gave the Pirates one more inning, tossing a clean fifth to leave in line for a win. The 23-year-old right-hander will take a 4.89 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and a 55/38 K/BB ratio across 57 innings into a tough start against the Braves in Atlanta on Sunday.

Things almost spun out of control quickly for Chandler here. He let the first three batters he faced reach base via two walks and a single and then Ian Happ got him for a two-run knock. A timely double play on Chandler’s 32nd pitch of the inning stopped the bleeding there. He never particularly settled in, giving up a run each in the second and fourth innings, but it was at least nice to see him get through five when it felt like he could’ve been pulled before the first was over. Different from some of his other poor starts, Chandler had no issues throwing strikes. Instead, he continued to have another problem that’s stuck with him and could not put hitters away. The Cubs hit seven foul balls in two strike counts off Chandler and his only pitch that induced a two strike whiff was a fastball. He needs to find more breaking ball consistency to reach the level we thought was possible heading into this season. Overall, it’s a shame he could not build on the momentum of his fantastic last start and he’ll take a 4.85 ERA into a two-start week against the Astros and Braves with both outings set to come on the road.

Chandler notched three strikeouts in the first inning and kept the Jays off the board for the first two frames. He ran into trouble in the third after George Springer reached on a catcher’s interference and later came around to score, only for Yohendrick Piñango to later double home Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to put the Jays up 3-1. Despite having his strikeout pitch working all night in what was arguably his best start of the season, Chandler exited the game trailing and was eventually saddled with the loss. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Cubs.

Chandler got in trouble right away, giving up a hit and a walk to put two runners on for Bryce Harper, who took him deep for a three-run blast to get the scoring started in the first inning. The Phillies piled on two more runs on a double by Kyle Schwarber in the second. Chandler managed to toss a scoreless third, but that would be it. He struck out two while issuing four free passes. The 23-year-old right-hander ends the day with an uninspiring 5.14 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and a 36/31 K/BB ratio across 42 innings. He’s lined up for a start against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday.

Chandler reigned in the walks today, issuing just one. However, he also wound up with only three strikeouts and a 22 percent CSW. The Pirates dropped to 2-6 in his starts, in part because they have to ask for four or five innings from the pen every time he pitches. He’ll almost certainly get better, but he’s been quite the liability through eight turns. He’ll pitch at home against the Phillies next.