PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates decided they wanted to switch up their pitching plan ahead of their next contest.The Pirates now have left-handed pitcher Mason Montgomery as the the starting pitcher against the Atlanta Braves in the series finale at Truist Park on June 7, instead of right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler, who was originally slated as the starting pitcher.Montgomery will make a "spot start", which has him come in for one inning and then the Pirates will either go with another reliever or likely put Chandler in for a bulk role, five or six innings depending on his effectiveness.It's a strategy that's worked for the Pirates previously and they'll hope it works and helps them avoid a sweep on the road.Why the Pirates Are Having Montgomery Start vs. BravesThis is the fourth time the Pirates have had Montgomery as a spot starter, doing so against the Washington Nationals on April 15, the St. Louis Cardinals on April 27 and the Colorado Rockies on May 14, all at PNC Park.Montgomery threw a scoreless first inning in all three of those starts and then right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski, who was in the starting rotation before Jared Jones' return, came in sometime after.May 14, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesThe reasoning for this was so that it changed up a team's lineup, forcing them to move left-handed batters around instead of bunching them at the top of the batting order, making it easier for Mlodzinski, who struggles at times against left-handed hitting. Chandler doesn't have a dramatic change in splits between left-handed and right-handed hitting (.226 vs. .225 batting average allowed), but he has struggled this season with a 5.05 ERA and 1-5 record in his last eight starts with a 6.08 ERA.The Braves have one of the best lineups in baseball, but generally have a solid split between right-handed batters and left-handed batters early on, with right-handers in right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and shortstop Maurice Dubon, plus left-handers in first baseman Matt Olson and designated hitter Dominic Smith, plus switch hitter in second baseman Ozzie Albies.Pittsburgh will hope that this strategy pans out and Chandler can have a solid outing, giving the rookie a chance to find some form in a tough 2026 campaign for him.Success of Pirates Spot StartsMlodzinski came in twice for Montgomery, throwing six scoreless innings vs. the Nationals in the 2-0 win and allowing two runs over five innings vs. the Rockies in a 7-2 victory. He came in right in the second inning vs. Washington and then came in the third inning vs. Colorado, as left-handed relief pitcher Evan Sisk threw a scoreless second inning.May 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Evan Sisk (48) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesThe game vs. St. Louis on April 27 was a bullpen game for the Pirates, which worked incedibly well for the most part. Montgomery and right-handed pitcher Justin Lawrence threw scoreless frames, then rookie right-handed pitcher threw four innings, giving the Pirates a perfect game going into the seventh inning.Sisk gave up a hit, but he and left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto kept the Cardinals scoreless, until right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana gave up four earned runs in the ninth inning in the 4-2 defeat.Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow