PITTSBURGH — The Pirates already look like a team that doesn't blink.
Pittsburgh held off a furious San Francisco rally to beat the Giants 13-12 on Tuesday. It was a wild final score, and if this is a preview of what's ahead between these two clubs, buckle up.
This one had the feel of a track meet more than a ballgame. Both offenses were clicking from the jump, and neither pitching staff found an answer until it was too late to matter. Pittsburgh's lineup did just enough extra damage to survive a Giants offense that refused to go quietly.
Lowe Carries the Load
Brandon Lowe was the difference. The second baseman turned in a monster night at the plate, finishing with 46.5 fantasy points to lead all hitters — nearly ten points clear of anyone else on the field. Lowe was doing damage in the middle of the order all game, and it's the kind of performance that changes a game's math before the other dugout can adjust. At 32, Lowe is showing no signs of slowing down, and if Tuesday was any indication, he's setting the tone for Pittsburgh's lineup early in the season.
He wasn't alone. Oneil Cruz continued to be a problem for opposing pitching, racking up 37.0 fantasy points with his usual blend of power and speed up the middle. Cruz has quickly become the engine of this Pirates offense, and when he and Lowe are both rolling in the same game, Pittsburgh is going to be tough to beat regardless of what the other dugout throws at them.
The supporting cast mattered just as much in a game decided by a single run. Jacob Gonzalez and Henry Davis each chipped in 26.0 fantasy points, with Davis doing it from behind the plate — no small feat on a night when his pitching staff needed all the help it could get. Nick Gonzales added 25.0 points at third, and Bryan Reynolds continued his steady presence in left with 18.5. This was a lineup humming from top to bottom, and it needed to be.
Devers and the Giants Don't Go Away
San Francisco didn't fold. Rafael Devers put together a strong night at first base, finishing with 39.0 fantasy points and serving as the primary threat in a Giants lineup that clawed back into this game more than once. Turner Hill was right behind him with 33.0 points out of left field, and that combination nearly stole a game that got away from the Giants early.
Jonah Cox added 22.0 points in center, and Christian Koss chipped in 18.5 at third as San Francisco kept swinging the bats well after Pittsburgh built its cushion. The Giants simply ran out of outs. Twelve runs is normally enough to win on most nights. On Tuesday, it wasn't, and that's a credit to just how relentless Pittsburgh's attack was from top to bottom.
What It Means
The win keeps Pittsburgh rolling with a lineup that looks nothing like a group still finding its footing. Zoom out further and Pittsburgh has won three of its last five games, a stretch that includes statement wins over St. Louis. This is a team carrying real momentum right now, and Lowe looks like the straw that stirs the drink when the Pirates are clicking.
For the Giants, the concern isn't effort or firepower — Devers and Hill combined for 72 fantasy points and it still wasn't enough. The issue is on the other side of the ball, where San Francisco has now allowed 13 runs in back-to-back games. Pitching depth is going to be the swing factor for this club over the next few weeks, and if Tuesday is a preview, they need answers fast.
A 13-12 final is the kind of score that sticks with you. Whatever happens next between these two clubs, it won't be boring.
Brandon Lowe's near-47-point performance was the headliner of the night, anchoring a Pittsburgh lineup that got contributions up and down the order.
