DL Hall and Quinn Priester combined their efforts on the mound, leading their team to an 8-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. The pitching duo showcased their abilities, with Hall starting the game and Priester following up to complete the outing.

Hall, known for his ability to "mow down guys," set the tone early in the game. Priester, who has embraced his role, focused on giving the bullpen a rest, contributing significantly to the win. He maintained a 3.59 ERA over recent games, demonstrating his effectiveness.

Before joining the team, Priester had been trying to regain his command while maintaining his strong stuff and ability to generate strikeouts. The team has been utilizing Hall and Priester as a "piggyback" duo, a strategy more commonly seen in the Minor Leagues. In this approach, Hall serves as an opener, pitching the initial innings before handing the game over to Priester. This strategy has proven successful, with the pair previously covering all nine innings in a game earlier in the season.

The team's offense provided ample support, ensuring the combined pitching performance translated into a decisive win. Key hits and timely runs allowed Hall and Priester to pitch with a comfortable lead, further solidifying their combined effort.

The Pirates acquired Bailey Falter in a trade with the Phillies in 2023, and he has since become a valuable asset to their pitching staff. In his first full season with the Pirates in 2024, Falter posted a 4.43 ERA over 142.1 innings, also recording 97 strikeouts. The Pirates have a wealth of young pitching talent, and Falter's performance has made him a potential trade candidate as the team looks to address other needs.

Falter's success with the Pirates can be attributed to several factors, including the development of his change-up. Working with the team's assistant pitching coach, Brent Strom, Falter has incorporated the change-up into his repertoire, throwing it about 10 percent of the time. Falter throws a four-seam fastball with elite ride, averaging 18.7 IVB. His slider also plays a crucial role, behaving like a cutter and generating a solid whiff rate.

The Pirates are holding on to Falter because of his value. With team control through 2028 and a reasonable salary, he is considered a valuable asset.