Home Opener: Tyler Anderson - Jake Arrieta Face Off Again

Today’s Game: The first home contest begins at 1:35 (gates open at noon) and will be carried on AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market) and 93.7 The Fan. It will mark the first of three days of magnetic schedule and facemask giveaways.

Ceremonies: The ceremonial first pitch will be tossed by Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg and Allegheny General Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Imran Qadeer. They’ll represent the thousands of AHN healthcare professionals (and we assume all the other docs, nurses, techies, etc. in the region) who bore the brunt of Covid care, and still do. Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher Tim Pollock will represent all essential workers (and thanks to every one of you) when he plays the National Anthem on the sax. God Bless America will be sung by Tech Sergeant Vanessa Norris of the 911th Airlift Wing of the US Airforce. Not a politician to be found!

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Kevin Newman SS; Bryan Reynolds LF; Colin Moran 1B; Phil Evans 3B; Gregory Polanco RF, Jake Stallings C; Dustin Fowler CF; Tyler Anderson P.  It’s as good as it gets with what they have.

Pitchers: In a quick rematch, LHP Tyler Anderson (0-1/5.40) goes against RHP Jake Arrieta (1-0/1.50) who already has a 5-1 Pirates win over Tyler under his belt. Anderson looked solid against the Cubs, though, going five innings and posting a line (three runs, five hits, two walks and seven K) worse than deserved thanks to some shady work in the field. Arietta spun six innings and gave up one run on six hits with a walk and five whiffs in his Wrigley win.

Notes:

• In a good sign, Ke’Bryan Hayes took some grounders today, a big step for someone with a glove hand injury. 
• Because of Covid seating limitations, the Pirates are giving out their magnetic schedules and facemasks for all three games of the Cubs series. Even though it’s a sellout, the crowd will be just 7,500 or so at 25% capacity, so lots of trinkets should be available.

Tomorrow’s Game: It’s an off day, then on Saturday the Bucs will send RHP Mitch Keller against RHP Zach Davies for a 6:35 match against the Cubs. The game will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.