Taillon allowed one run on three hits and no walks and struck out five across seven innings but settled for a no-decision against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old ran into trouble in the seventh during his Opening Day start, and once again, the one run he allowed -- a solo homer -- came in the seventh. Still, it should have been enough to win, but for the second straight game the Pirates bullpen blew a lead in the eighth inning. Taillon looks great, though, as he's really only pitched one bad frame through two starts. Overall, he is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 13 innings this season.

Taillon allowed four runs on six hits, striking out four, in six-plus innings during a loss against the Reds on Opening Day.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old deserved a better fate. He held the Reds to only one run through six innings, but in the seventh, Taillon couldn't record an out. After yielding a homer, walk and double to start the frame, the Pirates lifted him in favor of Rich Rodriguez, who tossed up a homer to the first batter he faced. Two of the runs scored on the home run were charged to Taillon. It was a disappointing final inning, but there's no reason to worry about Taillon after this lone start.

Taillon allowed four earned runs on eight hits in four innings Saturday. He struck out three batters without issuing a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Poor defense contributed to his lackluster final spring tuneup, but he hasn't been particularly sharp. The righty pitched in three simulated games before making his Grapefruit League debut. Since then, Taillon has thrown in three spring contests, compiling a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings. On the positive side, he's crafted an 11:0 K:BB. He's set to start Thursday on Opening Day against the Reds in Cincinnati

Taillon scattered four hits in five scoreless innings Sunday, allowing one unearned run. He struck out six without issuing a free pass.

EDGE Analysis

He's expected to pitch one more time before serving as Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter March 28 in Cincinnati. The 27-year-old is looking to post back-to-back healthy seasons for the first time -- he registered a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 191 innings (32 starts) last season. He also gave up three earned runs or less in each of his final 22 starts.

Taillon made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on five hits (all doubles) and no walks in four innings. He struck out three batters.

EDGE Analysis

The righty has thrown three simulated games at Pirate City, refining a changeup for a possible fifth pitch. Taillon threw his changeup with only 4.6 percent of his pitches in 2018. "If it's one more pitch I can put in someone's head, that's extremely important," he said. "Might get some quick outs with it and be able to go deeper into games." He'll make two more spring starts before pitching Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 28.

Taillon is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Twins, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Taillon will is also expected to pitch next Sunday against the Red Sox on regular rest. The Pirates named the 27-year-old their Opening Day starter back in February, so he'll start the regular season March 28 against the Reds.

The Pirates tabbed Taillon as their Opening Day starter in Cincinnati on March 28, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

"It's a big honor," Taillon said. "I get to kick off the season for the boys, set the tone." He pitched well in the Bucs' 2018 home opener, limiting the Twins to two earned runs in 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts. Taillon lost two of three starts in Cincinnati last season, allowing 10 earned runs in 17.1 innings.

Taillon is looking forward to throwing the slider he developed last summer for an entire season in 2019.

EDGE Analysis

"I think with that pitch," Taillon said, "I can take a big step forward." The 27-year-old added the slider to his arsenal in May, utilizing the pitch at an 18.2 percent clip while dropping his reliance on the fastball (64.1 percent to 57.5 percent). The righty compiled a 2.63 ERA in 133.1 innings from June 1 to season's end, registering 17 quality starts in 21 appearances. He also lowered his walks total by nearly one full batter (3.1 BB/9 to 2.2 BB/9) and maintained his strikeout rate (8.4 K/9 to 8.4 K/9). Perhaps most importantly, Taillon completed his first full season in the major leagues without incident. Pittsburgh has done little to improve upon a mediocre offense thus far in the offseason, but Taillon is a good bet to put up strong numbers once again in 2019.

Taillon (14-10) took the loss Saturday despite giving up three runs in six innings. He worked around seven hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander peppered the zone with 64 strikes in 89 pitches but allowed a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the third before a homer by Eugenio Suarez and an RBI single from opposing pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the fourth. All in all, Taillon was quite effective, but his offense failed to plate a run, which left him empty-handed in a quality start packed with strikeouts and sans a walk. He'll wrap the 2018 season with a sparkling 3.20 ERA and 2.2 BB/9, with a solid but below-elite 8.4 K/9 in 191 innings. Taillon already enters 2019 in top-25 territory among mixed-league starting pitchers, and given his impressive 10.5 swinging-strike rate from this year, he might reach another level in punchouts with more experience and a few tweaks to his approach.

Taillon will take the mound for one final start in 2018 against the Reds on Saturday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was a chance Taillon would be shut down prior to his last projected start of the season due to the fact that he's pitched a career-high 185 innings, but he will toe the rubber one last time in Cincinnati. Through 31 starts, he's logged a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an 8.4 K/9.