Pirates Preview: Can Bucs at Least Salvage Series vs. White Sox?

Danny Demilio |

Jul 20, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates were shellacked 10-4 by the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night for their second-straight loss.

The Pirates built a three-run lead, but the bullpen imploded and allowed eight runs over the final four innings. With the loss, the Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games.

The Pirates (39-60) will look to salvage their weekend series with the White Sox (34-65) on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Mostly cloudy skies and temperatures around 80 degrees for first pitch. Winds WNW at 10-11 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (4-8, 4.59 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Heaney’s last time out was his first relief appearance of the season. He allowed three runs (three solo homers) in 2.0 innings against the Minnesota Twins last Saturday.

It’s been tough sledding for Heaney of late. Over his last five appearances, the left-hander has a 9.61 ERA. In 19.2 innings over that stretch, Heaney’s allowed 27 hits, seven of which have been home runs.

Through his first 14 starts of the season, Heaney had a respectable 3.33 ERA while holding opponents to 63 hits in 78.1 innings.

In 10 career starts against the White Sox, Heaney is 5-1 with a 4.31 ERA.

RHP Aaron Civale (1-6, 5.30 ERA) Will Start for the White Sox

Civale took the mound the day before the All-Star break and allowed four runs in 5.2 innings against the Cleveland Guardians.

In six starts since he was acquired by Chicago from the Milwaukee Brewers, Civale is 0-4 with a 5.58 ERA.

The right-hander has failed to record five or more strikeouts in a game since the trade and has just 17 strikeouts against 15 walks in 30.2 innings with his new club.

Civale has made seven starts against the Pirates and is 2-2 with a 3.40 ERA. He allowed two runs in four innings against Pittsburgh on May 22.

White Sox Hitters vs. Heaney

Andrew Benintendi: 1 for 12, one walk, two strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 4 for 11, one double, two home runs, two RBI, five strikeouts
Austin Slater: 1 for 11, two walks, six strikes
Luis Robert Jr.: 3 for 10, one double, one home run, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Civale

Bryan Reynolds: 5 for 17, one double, two home runs, three RBI, three strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 17, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 5 for 10, two doubles
Tommy Pham: 3 for 8, one strikeout
Jack Suwisnki: 1 for 8, one double, one RBI, two strikeouts
Nick Gonzales: 4 for 6, one RBI, one walk
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 6, three walks
Joey Bart: 0 for 5, two strikeouts
Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

With their loss on Saturday, the Pirates’ all-time record fell to 10,878-10,879.
The Pirates’ bullpen has allowed 14 runs in nine innings this series (14.00 ERA). They allowed six runs in five innings on Friday night and eight in four innings in this one.
Andrew McCutchen enters Sunday’s game one hit shy of tying Willie Stargell for 180th on the all-time hit list with 2,232.