Pirates home opener: Bucs face Chicago White Sox at PNC Park

Pirates begin 3-game series with the White Sox

Pirates begin 3-game series with the White Sox

TORREY. IT’S A GREAT DAY FOR SOME BASEBALL. THE PIRATES ARE BACK AND BRINGING WITH THEM SOME NEW ADDITIONS TO YOUR GAME DAY, SWINGING INTO A NEW PIRATES SEASON. AND THAT FIRST HIT WILL BE IN THE CENTER OF A BLACKOUT. IT’S SO COOL. AND I THINK WHAT’S WHAT’S AMAZING ABOUT THAT IS THAT EFFORT COMPLETELY LED BY THE PLAYERS. AND IT WAS THEIR IDEA, SOMETHING THEY WANTED TO DRIVE AND WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM. AND WE KNOW OUR FANS ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL. A MOVE CREATED BY THE PLAYERS, BUT THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE BALLPARK THAT YOU’LL NOTICE. PIRATES VP STEPHEN PERKINS SAYS WE’RE INSPIRED BY YOU, THE FANS. NUMBER ONE THING WE HEARD FROM THEM IS QUICKER ENTRY INTO THE BALLPARK. SO THERE’S NEW TECHNOLOGY AT THE GATES. IT’S GOING TO ALLOW FANS TO GET IN QUICKER. WE’VE ALSO REVERTED OUR BACK POLICY BACK TO THE OLD BACK POLICY, A PRE COVID 19 BANK POLICY, NOW ALLOWING 16 BY 16 BY EIGHT BAGS INTO PNC PARK. A NEW SCOREBOARD AND MORE FOOD. EXECUTIVE CHEF GABOR COVERT SAYS IT’S ALL INSPIRED BY THE STEEL CITY. WE HAVE A NEW SIGNATURE ITEM FOR THE PARK. IT’S A PICKLE CURD PUFF CHEDDAR, A WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE TOPPED WITH MALT VINEGAR, RANCH POWDER TO BE MAKING HOUSE ROASTED, GARLIC CRUNCHY. OR HE ALSO MADE IN HOUSE SLICED PICKLES. REALLY, IT’S ALL ABOUT ELEVATING THE GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE FOR FANS. AND THE GATES WILL OPEN HERE AT 212 THIS AFTERNOON HERE. PN

Pirates home opener: Bucs face Chicago White Sox at PNC Park

Pirates begin 3-game series with the White Sox

Baseball is back in Pittsburgh, as the Pirates (4-2) face the Chicago White Sox (3-4) in the home opener at PNC Park on Friday.First pitch is set for 4:12 p.m., with Rich Hill (0-1) starting for the Bucs against Lucas Giolito (0-0) for the Sox.It's the beginning of a three-game weekend series on the North Shore as Andrew McCutchen returns to PNC Park and joins a roster full of young players looking to take a step forward in the team's rebuilding process.How does the weather look? See the home opener forecast above.McCutchen has been suggesting a "blackout" at the opener, and fans are excited about the idea. The Pirates tweeted out a GIF of a sign reading, "When Cutch says to wear black, you wear black."Two of McCutchen's former teammates will be back at the ballpark, too, with A.J. Burnett throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Russell Martin.INJURIESOneil Cruz: day-to-day (face), Austin Hedges: 7-day injured list (concussion), JT Brubaker: 60-day IL (elbow), Robert Stephenson: 15-day IL (elbow), Jarlin Garcia: 60-day IL (arm), Max Kranick: 60-Day IL (elbow) WHAT'S NEW AT THE PARK?When walking through the gates, you'll notice new sensors scanning fans. The Pirates have partnered with Evolv, which will also soon screen fans at Acrisure Stadium. The sensors are touted as being able to improve the speed at which fans can enter the ballpark and allow PNC Park to return to its bag policy from years past.Once again, fans will be able to bring in bags smaller than 16 by 16 by 8 inches.In the main concourse, there will be expanded self-serve beer and drink kiosks placed in locations that won't disrupt foot traffic. NEW SCOREBOARDThe scoreboard in left field has been replaced for the first time since 2006.Pirates President Travis Williams said a larger screen, in addition to other new video elements around the stadium, will allow fans to follow game action better. CHOWING DOWNNew food options include an All-Star burger made of beef from Jubilee Hilltop Ranch in Osterburg, Bedford County, and topped with a signature sauce, caramelized onions and fries.PNC Park is also adding Caliente Pizza. The menu will feature Sicilian, pepperoni and cheese slices.Fried cheese curds with pickle slices will make their debut as well. (Thumbs up from Pittsburgh's Action News 4 reporter Tori Yorgey.)The Associated Press contributed to this article.

PITTSBURGH —

Baseball is back in Pittsburgh, as the Pirates (4-2) face the Chicago White Sox (3-4) in the home opener at PNC Park on Friday.

First pitch is set for 4:12 p.m., with Rich Hill (0-1) starting for the Bucs against Lucas Giolito (0-0) for the Sox.

It's the beginning of a three-game weekend series on the North Shore as Andrew McCutchen returns to PNC Park and joins a roster full of young players looking to take a step forward in the team's rebuilding process.

How does the weather look? See the home opener forecast above.

McCutchen has been suggesting a "blackout" at the opener, and fans are excited about the idea. The Pirates tweeted out a GIF of a sign reading, "When Cutch says to wear black, you wear black."

Two of McCutchen's former teammates will be back at the ballpark, too, with A.J. Burnett throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Russell Martin.

"Blackout" called for at PNC Park Friday! #LetsGoBucs https://t.co/mmFLiP9Anu
— Andrew Stockey (@astockeyWTAE) April 6, 2023

INJURIES

Oneil Cruz: day-to-day (face), Austin Hedges: 7-day injured list (concussion), JT Brubaker: 60-day IL (elbow), Robert Stephenson: 15-day IL (elbow), Jarlin Garcia: 60-day IL (arm), Max Kranick: 60-Day IL (elbow)

WHAT'S NEW AT THE PARK?

When walking through the gates, you'll notice new sensors scanning fans. The Pirates have partnered with Evolv, which will also soon screen fans at Acrisure Stadium. The sensors are touted as being able to improve the speed at which fans can enter the ballpark and allow PNC Park to return to its bag policy from years past.

Once again, fans will be able to bring in bags smaller than 16 by 16 by 8 inches.

In the main concourse, there will be expanded self-serve beer and drink kiosks placed in locations that won't disrupt foot traffic.

NEW SCOREBOARD

The scoreboard in left field has been replaced for the first time since 2006.

Pirates President Travis Williams said a larger screen, in addition to other new video elements around the stadium, will allow fans to follow game action better.

CHOWING DOWN

New food options include an All-Star burger made of beef from Jubilee Hilltop Ranch in Osterburg, Bedford County, and topped with a signature sauce, caramelized onions and fries.

PNC Park is also adding Caliente Pizza. The menu will feature Sicilian, pepperoni and cheese slices.

Fried cheese curds with pickle slices will make their debut as well. (Thumbs up from Pittsburgh's Action News 4 reporter Tori Yorgey.)

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Pirates home opener: Bucs face Chicago White Sox at PNC Park

Pirates begin 3-game series with the White Sox

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INJURIES

WHAT'S NEW AT THE PARK?

NEW SCOREBOARD

CHOWING DOWN

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