Pirates Preview: Bubba Chandler Arrives in Pittsburgh

Danny Demilio |

Aug 22, 2025

Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates — 20240304, The Pittsburgh Pirates face the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, Florida (Photos by Harrison Barden)

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a day off on Thursday after winning Wednesday’s rubber match against the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 at PNC Park.

Johan Oviedo got his first win in nearly two years after throwing five-strong innings and Tommy Pham’s two-run double was the difference.

The Pirates (54-74) will continue their homestand against the Colorado Rockies (37-91) on Friday night. Top prospect Bubba Chandler will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis as a bulk reliever.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Temperatures in the 70s with clear skies overhead. Winds E at 3 mph.

RHP Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.02 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Ashcraft will make his third-straight start for the Pirates after tossing a career-high five innings against the Chicago Cubs a week ago.

In three starts this season, the right-hander has a 1.59 ERA (2er/11.1ip) with 11 strikeouts and only one walk.

Ashcraft’s 3.02 ERA is fifth among MLB rookies to throw at least 40 innings this season.

Ashcraft allowed three runs on five hits in two innings against the Rockies at Coors Field on Aug. 2.

RHP Antonio Senzatela (4-14, 7.00 ERA) Will Start for the Rockies

Senzatela threw five-shutout innings in his last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on Sunday.

It was a needed bounce back start for the right-hander, who had a 9.79 ERA over his last six starts entering play.

Senzatela leads baseball with 14 losses while his 7.00 ERA is the worst in baseball among pitchers who have thrown at least 100 innings this season.

The Pirates knocked Senzatela out of the game in the first inning after allowing eight runs in a 17-16 marathon loss earlier this month. In his career vs. the Pirates, Senzatela is 0-2 with a 17.76 ERA.

Rockies Hitters vs. Ashcraft

Brenton Doyle: 1 for 2, one RBI
Warming Bernabel: 1 for 1, one RBI
Ezequiel Tovar: 1 for 1
Orlando Arcia: 0 for 1, one RBI
Jordan Beck: 0 for 1, one strikeout
Yanquiel Fernandez: 0 for 1, one strikeout
Mickey Moniak: 0 for 1

Pirates Hitters vs. Senzatela

Tommy Pham: 7 for 16, two doubles, two walks
Andrew McCutchen: 5 for 16, two home runs, four RBI, two walks, three strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 4 for 6, three doubles, two RBI
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 5, one double, two RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

Johan Oviedo’s win on Wednesday was his first since Sep. 21, 2023 against the Chicago Cubs and his first at PNC Park since Aug. 22, 2023 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Braxton Ashcraft has only allowed one walk in 15.2 innings across his last five appearances. He had issued 12 walks in his first 26 innings to start his career.
The Pirates are 36-30 at PNC Park this year, which is the eighth-best home record in the National League. However, they are 18-44 on the road, which is only better than the Rockies (16-46).