Game Thread: Cubs at Pirates, 4/8/21

Chicago Cubs (3-3) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (1-5) - Thursday, April 8 @ 1:35p.m.

Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh PA

TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 93.7 The Fan

SB Nation Cubs site: Bleed Cubbie Blue

Starting Pitchers

Cubs: Jake Arrieta - RHP - (1-0) - 1.50 ERA - 5 total Ks

Pirates: Tyler Anderson - LHP - (0-1) - 5.40 ERA - 7 total Ks

Probable Starting Lineups (subject to last-minute changes)

Cubs

1. Willson Contreras - C

2. Kris Bryant - 3B

3. Anthony Rizzo – 1B

4. Javier Baez - SS

5. Joc Pederson - LF

6. Jake Marisnick - CF

7. Jason Heyward - RF

8. David Bote - 2B

9. Jake Arrieta - P

Pirates

1. Adam Frazier - 2B

2. Kevin Newman - SS

3. Bryan Reynolds - LF

4. Colin Moran – 1B

5. Phillip Evans - 3B

6. Gregory Polanco - RF

7. Jacob Stallings - C

8. Dustin Fowler - CF

9. Tyler Anderson - P

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For the first time since 2019, there will be fans in the stands at PNC Park. It is a positively stunning spring day here in the Burgh, a perfect day for a baseball game.

What will they see, though? Hopefully something better than the abomination that was the Bucs/Reds series in Cincinnati.

However, as I find myself saying at the beginning of every baseball season, dudes, it’s April. The Pirates are not the only team with only one win so far. They’re not even the only ones in the National League with one win. Remember, unlike Neal Huntington, Ben Cherington has basically said “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” And if you’re going to be awful, be awful in April.

With that being said, it’s Anderson/Arrieta 2, the first game between them resulting in a 5-1 Bucs loss. Jake Arrieta has a 13-6 lifetime record against the Pirates, with a 2.87 ERA in 24 starts. In his four starts against the Cubs, Tyler Anderson has a 4.32 ERA.

Hopefully Jobu is waking up Pirates bats, and the Bucs’ recent MacGuyver, Phillip Evans, is in the lineup. Let’s enjoy the day, hopefully the game, and, as always, LET’S GO BUCS!