Yankees' offense on cruise control as Pirates' sputters

Marcus Stroman knows he needs to be better if he's to fortify a short-handed New York Yankees rotation, and he will get that chance on Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.

Stroman (0-0, 5.79 ERA) lasted only 4 2/3 innings in his first start of the season last Sunday, a game the Yankees won 12-3 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander gave up three runs on five hits, including a home run, although he walked only one batter and struck out three on 81 pitches.

Stroman was moved up to the No. 3 spot in the rotation after injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil to open the season. Stroman is 2-3 with a 2.75 ERA in six career starts and seven appearances against the Pirates.

"I made a few bad pitches, but overall for the first one, I thought it was OK," Stroman said after that first start. "Definitely need to be better going forward, but to keep this offense in the game is definitely key."

Yankees starters are getting plenty of run support early this season. New York's 62 runs in seven games lead the American League, and the Yankees have homered in every game, leading the major leagues with 23 home runs.

Aaron Judge continues to be at the forefront of that barrage with six home runs, a total that leads the majors.

"I catch myself having these ridiculous conversations with him, just because he keeps setting the bar so darned high," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will be the latest starter to try to slow the Yankees.

Falter appeared to be in line to pick up the win in his first start last Saturday against the Miami Marlins after going six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks. But the Pirates' bullpen couldn't protect the lead and lost 5-4 in 12 innings, one of three walk-off losses to the Marlins in that four-game set to open the season.

"I felt really good, and we knew exactly what we needed to do. I feel like I have to be a little better on my breaking balls in the stretch; I'm just a tick late," Falter said after that start. "First-ball strikes always give you a chance to get a W. You guys hear me say it -- I'm not trying to be out there long. I'm trying to get these guys in here so we can score some runs."

Falter has faced the Yankees only once and lost that start after allowing four runs in three innings last Sept. 29.

Scoring runs continues to be an issue for the Pirates, who have crossed the plate only 23 times over their first eight games and have yet to score more than four in a game.

In Pittsburgh's home opener on Friday, fans at PNC Park vented their frustration often with chants of "sell the team." The Pirates are 2-6.

"I really appreciate and respect the passion of our fans," Pirates owner Bob Nutting said before the game. "I understand their anger, and I understand their concern, and I understand they want the team to win. I do, too. That's the most important thing we're focused on."

Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was removed from the game Friday due to an illness and is considered day-to-day.

--Field Level Media