Oneil Cruz jumps back to the Pirates leadoff spot as Jared Triolo slides to the two-hole, reshaping Pittsburgh’s order for the Oakland series. Tommy Pham returns in left, with Reynolds, Horwitz and McCutchen anchoring the heart of the lineup, while Horwitz at first and Yorke at second bolster defensive stability. Bubba Chandler makes his third MLB start at PNC Park, aiming to rebound after a rough Brewers turn but buoyed by a five-inning perfect stint against Washington. First pitch is 6:40 p.m.

Expect Cruz to drive more runs and steals from the top, but note his stronger numbers come when leading off; the rest of the order looks to maximize on-base opportunities behind him. Chandler’s development remains a key storyline for Pirates investors as they chase wins in 2025.

Pittsburgh built an early lead, but Oakland answered with a five-inning rally to steal the series opener 4-3 at PNC Park. Mitch Keller held the A’s in check through four, but a three-run homer by Lawrence Butler in the fifth flipped the game. The Pirates threatened in two later innings but couldn’t push another run across, extending their home skid to seven straight losses. A brutal stretch for Pittsburgh leaves them at 65-89, while Oakland sits 73-81 as the series continues.

Key moments included Jared Triolo starting the scoring with an RBI on an error, Bryan Reynolds driving in a run with a single, and Spencer Horwitz collecting a double to plate Triolo. Despite a 3-0 cushion after the second, the Pirates couldn’t sustain the lead as the A’s bullpen shut the door late and the offense went quiet after the fourth. Stay tuned for more updates as Pittsburgh looks to rebound in the next matchup.

Washington hosts Pittsburgh in an early rubber match at Nationals Park, with Washington reshuffling the lineup as Dylan Crews sits. Robert Hassell moves to right, Jacob Young to center, Daylen Lile in left, and James Wood shifts to DH while Riley Adams handles catching and Nasim Nunez stays at second. Cade Cavalli starts for the Nats. Pittsburgh counters with a lefty-friendly lineup featuring Oneil Cruz, Ji Hwan Bae, Spencer Horwitz, Joey Bart catching, and Mike Burrows on the mound. The Nats seek a September spark against aPirates club facing similar odds, hoping to prove they can beat teams in this tier.

The tactical shifts create fantasy intrigue: expect Hassell and Young to climb the batting order, Lile and Wood to contribute from spots that boost run potential, and Cavalli to deliver mixed results against a left-handed heavy Pirates lineup. For Pittsburgh, left-handed combinations against Cavalli will test Washington’s defense and opportunistic baserunning. This game is a chance for both teams to showcase resilience in a tight early-season schedule.