The week ahead
vs. Cubs
6:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT)
6:40 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT)
12:35 p.m. Thursday (SN PIT)
• Following their six-game West Coast road trip, the Pirates return to PNC Park starting Tuesday for their first NL Central divisional action in nearly three weeks. Chicago features one of the top offenses in baseball. Entering Saturday, the Cubs were leading baseball in batting average (.267) and steals (44) and ranked third in home runs (38). On the mound, Chicago recently lost lefty Justin Steele (3-1, 4.76 ERA) to season-ending elbow surgery. The Cubs also made a trade for some bullpen help earlier this week, acquiring 36-year-old left-hander Drew Pomeranz from the Mariners.
vs. Padres
6:40 p.m. Friday (Apple TV+)
4:05 p.m. Saturday (SN PIT)
1:35 p.m. Sunday (SN PIT)
• San Diego is off to a dominant start in a talented NL West. The Padres’ team ERA of 2.80 ranked second in the majors entering Saturday, and their batting average (.260) was fourth. It remains to be seen whether the Padres will have the services of three-time batting champion and three-time All-Star Luis Arraez, who was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list Monday. Arraez is hitting .287 with three homers and seven RBIs.
