The week ahead
vs. Cardinals
6:40 p.m. Monday (SN PIT)
6:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT)
6:40 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT)
12:35 p.m. Thursday (SN PIT)
• After a week’s road trip to Texas and Milwaukee, the Pirates welcome the Cardinals to PNC Park for the rivals’ first meeting of the season. Mars and West Virginia product JJ Wetherholt has been a catalyst with a .364 on-base percentage as the Cardinals started the season 14-10. The rookie second baseman who was picked seventh overall in the 2024 draft is batting just .218 but has 11 RBIs and 15 walks to go with 19 hits. RF Jordan Walker has belted eight homers and has 16 RBIs for the Cardinals.
vs. Reds
6:45 p.m. Friday(Apple TV)
4:05 p.m. Saturday (SN PIT)
1:35 p.m. Sunday (SN PIT)
• The Pirates went 2-1 in Cincinnati early this season against the NL Central rival Reds, who have climbed to the top of division at 16-9 entering Friday. The Reds have found success despite having the lowest team batting average in the majors at .205 (The Pirates are 11th at .247). Infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .297 with eight homers and a team-leading 24 RBIs, and SS Elly De La Cruz has eight homers and 18 RBIs. Former Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes is hitting just .085. They have gotten strong pitching, especially from starters Rhett Lowder (3.10 ERA) and Chase Burns (2.57 ERA, 30 strikeouts).