Game thread: Pirates at Cubs, 4/4/21

Pittsburgh Pirates (1-1) at Chicago Cubs (1-1) – Sun, April 4 @ 2:20pm

Stadium: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: KDKA

Starting Pitchers

Pirates: Mitch Keller – RHP – (0-0)

Tigers: Zach Davies – RHP – (0-0)

Probable Starting Lineups (subject to last-minute changes)

Pirates

1. Adam Frazier - 2B
2. Kevin Newman - SS
3. Bryan Reynolds - LF
4. Colin Moran- 1B
5. Phillip Evans - 1B
6. Gregory Polanco - RF
7. Michael Perez - C
8. Anthony Alford - CF
9. Mitch Keller - P

Cubs

1. Ian Happ - CF
2. Willson Contreras - C
3. Anthony Rizzo - 1B
4. Kris Bryant - 3B
5. Joc Pederson - LF
6. Javier Baez - SS
7. Jason Heyward - RF
8. Eric Sogard - 2B
9. Zach Davies - P

The Pittsburgh Pirates (1-1) and the Chicago Cubs (1-1) will square this afternoon for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 EDT. On his birthday, this game will see the Bucs’ Mitch Keller making his season debut; on the other side, the Cubs will trot out former Brewers’ starter Zach Davies.

The Pirates were able to secure a 5-3 Opening Day victory, thanks largely to a stellar effort from the pitching staff. Sam Howard got the win after making an appearance and striking out the side. Duane Underwood, Jr., struck out all of his adversaries, as well; David Bednar looked poised in his first official Pirates’ appearance, picking up a pair of punch-outs; and Richard Rodriguez nailed it down for his first save of the season.

Saturday’s a game — a game Chicago would go on to win on the back of Pittsburgh’s nemesis, Jake Arrieta — saw an offensive struggle from the black and gold. The Pirates totaled six hits in the game, but only drew one walk, and turned in one run on a Kevin Newman single in the first inning.

After things wrap up this afternoon, the Pirates will remain on the road and travel to Great American Ballpark to play three games against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates don’t have their home opener until April 8 when the Cubs come to town for a three game series.