Pirates

Pirates Preview: Back on the Road at Wrigley Field vs. Taillon

Published

4 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates, Andrew Heaney

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz (15) rounds second base after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon to take the three-game series at PNC Park.

Andrew McCutchen passed Roberto Clemente for third place on the Pirates’ all-time home run list and Bailey Falter got his team-leading fifth win of the season.

After a successful 6-3 homestand, the Pirates are back on the road to start a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday night.

First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 60s. Winds NNE at 6-9 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Heaney last took the mound on Saturday against the Phillies and allowed one run in 6.0 innings prior to leaving with calf cramping.

The left-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his 13 starts this season including five of his last six.

Heaney ranks seventh among National League left-handers in ERA, is third in batting average against (.219) and fifth in WHIP (1.147).

In two career starts against the Cubs, Heaney is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA. He allowed four runs in 4.2 innings against them at PNC Park in a 9-0 Pirates’ loss on Apr. 29.

RHP Jameson Taillon (6-3, 3.54 ERA) Will Start for the Cubs

Taillon will get another chance to face the team he made 82 starts with from 2016-19 after he was drafted second overall in 2010.

The right-hander has been pitching extremely well of late and allowed one run in 7.0 innings against the American League-best Tigers.

Taillon has gone at least 6.1 innings in each of his last four starts and has a 1.69 ERA (5er/26.2ip) over that stretch.

In his career agaisnt the Pirates, Taillon is 2-2 with a 4.55 ERA in five starts.

Cubs Hitters vs. Heaney

Justin Turner: 5 for 19, two home runs, two RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Kyle Tucker: 1 for 14, one home run, two RBI, eight walks, one strikeout
Jon Berti: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Dansby Swanson: 1 for 3, one double, two RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Ian Happ: 0 for 3
Pete Crow-Armstrong: 1 for 2, one home run, two RBI
Carson Kelly: 1 for 2, one home run, two RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Taillon

Tommy Pham: 9 for 24, five doubles, one RBI, two walks, eight strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 4 for 14, one double, one home run, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 11, four strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 9, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 4 for 8, one triple, one RBI
Nick Gonzales 2 for 8
Adam Frazier: 0 for 6, two walks, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 5, two strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 5
Henry Davis: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen passed Roberto Clemente for third on the Pirates’ all-time home run list with 241. He trails only Willie Stargell (475) and Ralph Kiner (301).
Bailey Falter is 5-2 with a 2.63 ERA (19er/65.0ip) over his last 12 starts.
David Bednar is a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities this year after he blew seven of his 30 save chances last season.