The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up another home date of their 2026 regular season on Wednesday, September 23, welcoming the St. Louis Cardinals to PNC Park for a 6:40 PM ET first pitch. Lake Bachar gets the ball for Pittsburgh, squaring off against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore. With the season winding down, every game on the schedule carries weight for both clubs — whether that means finishing strong, auditioning young talent, or simply playing winning baseball in front of the home crowd on the North Shore.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Lake Bachar vs. Matthew Liberatore

Lake Bachar draws the start for the Bucs. The right-hander is one of the younger arms Pittsburgh has cycled into the rotation this season, and a late-September start against St. Louis is exactly the kind of opportunity that matters heading into the offseason. What he does with it — whether he attacks the zone, limits walks, and keeps the Cardinals' lineup off the bases — will be the single biggest factor in determining how this game plays out.

Matthew Liberatore gets the nod for St. Louis. The left-hander has been part of the Cardinals' pitching picture for several seasons now, and he brings enough of a track record to demand respect. Pittsburgh's right-handed hitters will need to be disciplined early and look to put together quality at-bats rather than chasing offerings out of the zone.

Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup

• 1. Konnor Griffin, SS
• 2. Rafael Flores Jr., C
• 3. Bryan Reynolds, LF
• 4. Brandon Lowe, 2B
• 5. Nick Gonzales, DH
• 6. Ronny Simon, RF
• 7. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B
• 8. Jared Triolo, 3B
• 9. Jake Mangum, CF

Keys to Watch at PNC Park

Bryan Reynolds Setting the Table

Reynolds hitting third means the Pirates need production from the top of the order. Konnor Griffin and Rafael Flores Jr. will need to get on base ahead of him. If they do, Reynolds has the ability to do damage and put Pittsburgh in front early.

Brandon Lowe in the Cleanup Spot

Lowe batting fourth is a notable construction for this lineup. He brings left-handed pop and the ability to punish mistakes. His at-bats against Liberatore — a fellow lefty — will be something to watch closely. How the Cardinals choose to navigate that matchup could shape the middle innings.

Nick Gonzales at DH

Gonzales sliding into the DH role keeps his bat in the lineup while giving the Pirates some roster flexibility. He has shown flashes of being a legitimate offensive contributor at the big league level, and a strong finish to the season would carry momentum into 2027.

Bachar's Command

For a younger starter, the margin for error against a major league lineup is thin. If Bachar can throw his secondary pitches for strikes and avoid prolonged traffic on the bases, he gives Pittsburgh a real chance to win this ballgame.

Prediction

This is a competitive matchup on paper between two clubs looking to close the season on a positive note. The home crowd at PNC Park gives Pittsburgh an edge, and if Bachar is sharp through five or six innings, the Pirates bullpen should be able to handle the rest. Take Pittsburgh to win a close one, 4-2.