The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Rate Field in Chicago on Thursday, September 10, 2026 for a 7:40 PM ET showdown against the Chicago White Sox. Jared Jones gets the ball for Pittsburgh against White Sox left-hander Hagen Smith in a late-season regular season matchup that carries real weight for both clubs. Coverage is available on SportsNet Pittsburgh and Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan for Pirates faithful who can't make the trip to the South Side.

Pitching Matchup: Jared Jones vs. Hagen Smith

Jared Jones is Pittsburgh's starter of record Thursday, and what he does in the early innings will set the tone for this entire ballgame. Jones has the stuff to carve through lineups when he's locked in, and this is the kind of road start that separates good pitchers from great ones. A strong outing here would be a statement for the Pirates heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

On the other side, Hagen Smith gets the nod for Chicago. Smith is a name worth watching — the White Sox will lean on him to keep the Pittsburgh offense honest. How Pittsburgh's hitters approach Smith early in the count will be one of the key at-bat sequences to monitor throughout the night.

Chicago White Sox Lineup to Watch

The White Sox are sending out a lineup that features some legitimate pieces. Munetaka Murakami slots in at first base and bats third — he's the kind of presence that demands respect in any count. Andrew Benintendi hits cleanup at DH, giving Chicago a veteran bat at the heart of the order. Leadoff man Sam Antonacci gets things started in left field, with Miguel Vargas batting second at third base.

Further down the lineup, Colson Montgomery mans shortstop and bats fifth, while Braden Montgomery — no relation — hits sixth in right field. Chase Meidroth at second base, Tristan Peters in center, and Jake Rogers behind the plate round out the bottom third. Pittsburgh's pitching staff will need to avoid extended at-bats against the middle of that order.

Keys to the Game for Pittsburgh

• Jones needs to limit damage against Murakami and Benintendi — those two are the danger zones in Chicago's lineup.
• Pittsburgh's offense must find ways to work Smith for deep counts and get runners on base early.
• Bullpen management matters late; if Jones can eat five or six innings, it keeps Pittsburgh's relief options fresh.
• Cutting down on walks and free bases will be critical against a White Sox lineup that can string together rallies.

Prediction

This game hinges almost entirely on how Jared Jones performs through the first four innings. If he establishes his pitches and keeps Murakami and Benintendi in check, the Pirates have a real shot to come away with a road win. Chicago's lineup is not without holes, and Pittsburgh should be able to manufacture enough offense against Smith. Expect a competitive ballgame that stays close into the seventh — give the edge to Pittsburgh if Jones is on, but this one is genuinely too close to call. Pirates 4, White Sox 3.