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.

Week 23 midweek waiver targets spotlight Colson Montgomery, Kyle Bradish, Ian Seymour, Parker Messick, Jared Triolo and Emmet Sheehan as top adds. Montgomery’s hot bat carries multi-position eligibility, Bradish recently returned from IL with strong numbers, and the rest offer immediate streaming or prospect upside. Roman Anthony’s oblique injury also influences the Red Sox’ short-term waiver landscape, while Seymour, Messick, Triolo and Sheehan present varied paths to late-season gains.

Prioritize adds in 10+ team leagues and keep an eye on daily moves as the season closes. The updated top-100 lists frame the picks, but this week’s waivers hinge on hot hands and opportunity—turn on MLB alerts and stay flexible to maximize the final stretch.