Megan: The Pittsburgh Pirates just dropped a 9-3 bomb on the Chicago White Sox, but tonight they face the same team again. Is this a fluke, or is Pittsburgh ready to take over first place in the AL Central? That is the question we are answering right now.
Steve: It is wild to think about taking on the division leaders back-to-back, especially with the injury list looking like a phone book. But if Bubba Chandler can keep that momentum going, anything is possible.
Megan: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America's number one daily sports podcast network! I’m Megan, and I’m here with Steve. Good evening, Pirate fans!
Steve: Good evening, everyone. It is September ninth, and we are heading to Chicago for Game Two of this series against the White Sox.
Megan: Tonight, we are breaking down the pitching matchup for tonight’s game, looking at who steps up in the bullpen given the massive injury toll, and giving you our bold prediction for whether the Pirates can complete the sweep.
Steve: We also have to talk about the state of the roster. With Mitch Keller and Endy Rodriguez both on the 60-day IL, every single player on this active roster has to earn their spot every single day.
Megan: Let’s get into it. Segment One: The series context and the pitching probables. Steve, last night was huge. Nine runs. Bubba Chandler pitched six strong innings. What did you see from him out there?
Steve: I saw a pitcher who finally found his rhythm. You know, when your rotation is decimated by injuries—Keller, Thorpe, Murray all out—the guys left in the mix have to be reliable. Chandler wasn’t perfect, but he kept the ball in the park. That is vital against a lineup as potent as Chicago’s.
Megan: Right. And the offense backed him up. Rafael Flores Jr. had three hits, including a homer. Henry Davis has been hot too, remember that home run against the Angels earlier in the week?
Steve: Exactly. Davis provides that pop off the bench or starting when needed. But tonight, the question is: who starts? We don’t have the official probable listed yet, but with Skenes coming off his win against LA, do you think he gets the ball again?
Megan: That is the big debate. Paul Skenes ended his seven-start winless drought on Sunday. He pitched five and a third scoreless innings. If he goes tonight, it would be on short rest. Do you trust him with that kind of workload?
Steve: I am cautious. Skenes is electric, no doubt. His stuff is elite. But five and a third innings on Sunday means he would be throwing on four days' rest instead of five. In a high-leverage spot against the first-place team? I would lean toward letting him recover.
Megan: So who then? Braxton Ashcraft? Or maybe Khristian Curtis? The depth chart is thin, Steve. We talked about this yesterday with Konnor Griffin’s return, but the starters are still limited.
Steve: Ashcraft has been steady. If they want to go with someone who can eat innings without stressing the arm too much, Ashcraft makes sense. But honestly, I think they might go with Jared Jones. He’s young, he’s got upside, and sometimes you just need that youthful energy.
Megan: Jones could be the surprise pick. But regardless of who starts, the White Sox are tough. They are 75-69, sitting first in the AL Central. The Pirates are 72-73, third in the NL Central. This is a cross-league battle where the stakes feel higher because of the standings implications.
Steve: It is interesting because even though they are in different leagues, beating the top team in the other division gives you bragging rights and potentially shifts momentum. If Pittsburgh wins two of these, they put pressure on Chicago while gaining ground in their own race.
Megan: Pressure is definitely on the line. And let’s not forget, the White Sox have some power. You cannot afford to give them any free passes. That brings us to Segment Two: Key hitters and bullpen questions.
Steve: Let’s talk about the bullpen. It is a mess, frankly. Kirby Yates is on the 15-day IL. Isaac Mattson just went on the 15-day IL with right hip inflammation. Huascar Brazoban is also out. Who is closing games?
Megan: It’s brutal. Camilo Doval has been the primary closer, but he needs support. Gregory Soto and Luke Weaver are the other heavy hitters in the pen. Doval has to be lights out tonight.
Steve: Doval’s velocity is still scary. But if he struggles, you have to rely on Wilber Dotel or Carmen Mlodzinski. These are guys who haven’t had many high-leverage save opportunities. That is a risk. Every inning matters more when your depth is this thin.
Megan: And on the offensive side, who do you want seeing the most pitches? Bryan Reynolds has been consistent, but Oneil Cruz is the guy who changes games. He hit that homer against the White Sox too, right?
Steve: Cruz is the engine. When he is swinging well, he forces pitchers to make mistakes. Against Chicago, you want Cruz in the heart of the order. Spencer Horwitz at first base is also providing solid contact. He doesn’t always hit for power, but he keeps innings alive.
Megan: Horwitz is a grinder. I love that. And what about Nick Gonzales? He’s been finding his stroke lately. Does he have a platoon advantage against certain White Sox relievers?
Steve: Gonzales has been decent. But I think Brandon Lowe at second base is the key. Lowe brings experience and plate discipline. He knows how to work counts. Against a tired White Sox bullpen late in the game, Lowe could be the difference-maker with a walk or an RBI single.
Megan: Lowe is the veteran presence. But Steve, we have to address the elephant in the room. Tommy Pham, Joey Bart, Ryan O'Hearn—all on the 10-day IL. The lineup is constantly reshuffled. How does that affect chemistry?
Steve: It hurts cohesion. You never know who is going to step in. Last night, Rafael Flores Jr. had three hits. Today, it might be Billy Cook or Esmerlyn Valdez. You have to be adaptable. The players who stay healthy and stay focused are the ones who will carry this team.
Megan: Adaptability is the name of the game. And speaking of staying focused, Konnor Griffin is back from the IL. We mentioned him yesterday. How much impact does his return have on the outfield defense?
Steve: Griffin adds speed and range. Defensively, he stabilizes center field. Offensively, he is still building rust, but his ability to get on base and create chaos is valuable. Even if he isn’t hitting for average yet, his presence forces the opposition to play deeper.
Megan: That defensive shift alone can save runs. Alright, Segment Three: Keys to the series and a bold prediction. Steve, you predicted a split or sweep yesterday. Are you sticking with that?
Steve: I am doubling down. If Skenes or Ashcraft can pitch well early, and if the bullpen holds up, I think Pittsburgh takes this series. The White Sox are good, but they are vulnerable on the road against aggressive offenses.
Megan: Bold move. I agree with the sweep potential. The momentum from the 9-3 win is real. The crowd is getting behind them, and the players are feeding off that energy. I see another win tonight, and maybe a close one in Game Three.
Steve: My bold prediction? I think Bubba Chandler comes out of the pen tonight to close it out. Maybe the starter only goes five innings, and Chandler preserves the lead. He looked sharp enough to handle the job.
Megan: Chandler as the closer? That is a twist. But with the bullpen so depleted, why not? It keeps the best arms available. I’ll take the Pirates winning both games tonight and tomorrow. Final score: 4-2 and 3-1.
Steve: I’ll go with 5-3 and 4-2. The offense scores a few more. But the key is the pitching holding the line. If the Pirates control the strike zone, they win.
Megan: There you have it. The Pirates are riding high after a dominant win, facing the division leaders again. Whether it’s Skenes on the mound or Chandler in relief, this team is fighting hard despite the injury list.
Steve: It is a test of depth and resilience. If they can sweep Chicago, it sends a message across the league. Stay tuned for the lineup announcement and enjoy the game.
Megan: Before we go, I want to say thank you. Putting out a fresh show every single day, analyzing every injury report and stat line, takes a lot of work. A handful of supporters makes that possible, keeping the show free for everyone. If you love what we do, please chip in via the link in the episode description. Your support helps us keep bringing you the best baseball coverage daily.
Steve: We appreciate every listener who helps keep the network running. It means the world to us. Now, let’s get to the ballpark.
Megan: Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Go Bucs!