Gameday 45: Jared Jones on the mound as the Pirates travel to Chicago to face the Cubs
Jones makes second straight start against the Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates road trip continues against another divisional opponent, with a four-game set in Chicago to face the Cubs.
It’s the same team that the Pirates wrapped up their home stand against, losing two of three.
That series saw the debut of 2023 first overall pick, Paul Skenes. He is currently scheduled to make his second start on Friday.
To kick things off this series will be Jared Jones, who graduated off of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 list recently, and should move off of the rest after today’s start.
Thursday will be the only night game of the series, with an expected start time of 7:40 pm ET.
Pirates Lineup
1B - Connor Joe
DH - Bryan Reynolds
SS - Oneil Cruz
RF - Edward Olivares
3B - Nick Gonzales
C - Yasmani Grandal
LF - Jack Suwinski
CF - Michael A. Taylor
2B - Alika Williams
Cubs Lineup
DH - Mike Tauchman
RF - Seiya Suzuki
CF - Cody Bellinger
3B - Christopher Morel
LF - Ian Happ
1B - Michael Busch
2B - Nick Madrigal
SS - Miles Mastrobuoni
C - Miguel Amaya
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Jared Jones (2-4, 2.68 ERA, 47 IP, 7 BB, 56 K)
CHC - Justin Steele (0-0, 4.73 ERA, 13.1 IP, 4
Yesterday’s Feature
I talked to Jim Horner while I was in Bradenton about Omar Alfonzo, who is coming off being named the Florida State League Player of the Week, and exactly is working so well for him.
Today’s Feature
Today I took a look a four relievers in the Pirates system that are off to good starts this season.
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Good, Jones can get some experience pitching with a lead. He needs to take advantage of the opportunity. Won't happen much.
Aaron Shackelford released.