The Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at PNC Park. First pitch is 6:40pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 6:15pm.
The Pirates were idle Thursday, while Tampa Bay defeated Minnesota 7-6 in 10-innings. The Rays used five relievers in the victory and played back-to-back extra inning games.
The two teams come into the series with similar records, but different circumstances as the half-way point of the regular season approaches in a week. The Pirates are 36-38 overall and are 7-1/2 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, but they are only a half-game out of a National League Wild Card spot. The Rays are 36-39 overall, 14 games behind the Yankees in the A.L. East and they are five games out of a Wild Card position.
The Pirates and Rays play a 4:05pm game Saturday. WISR pre-game is 3:40pm. Jared Jones will start the game for the Bucs.
The Pirates and Rays complete their series Sunday afternoon at 1:35pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 12:10pm. Paul Skenes will start for the Pirates.
The Bucs head to Cincinnati following the Rays series.