The Pirates’ return to PNC Park today for the home opener, fresh off a three-game sweep of the Red Sox in Boston and looking to keep it going against another American League team, the Chicago White Sox.
It’s a game of returns for the Bucs, with Andrew McCutchen coming home to Pittsburgh and with his old teammates, AJ Burnett and Russell Martin, throwing and catching the first pitch, ten years after the three of them led the Pirates to the National League playoffs. That’s when Martin crushed the home run off Johnny Cueto in the Wild Card playoff game.
If you’re going to the game today, be sure to wear black. After Greg Brown mentioned a “blackout’ on a Pirates broadcast in Boston, former Bucs catcher Michael McKenry picked up the call, and soon others joined in, including McCutchen and Burnett, who famously preferred Bucco black jerseys when he played.
Left-hander Rich Hill makes the start for the Pirates. The 43-year-old is 0-1 with a 5.70 ERA after one start. He’s facing White Sox righty Lucas Giolito, who is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA. Giolito threw a no-hitter against the Pirates, striking out 13 on August 25th, 2020 in Chicago.
First pitch is at 4:12 this afternoon. The broadcast begins at 3:45 on WCCS.
