The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Comerica Park on Friday, September 25 for a 6:40 PM ET regular season showdown against the Detroit Tigers. Right-hander Bubba Chandler gets the ball for Pittsburgh, drawing a marquee matchup against Detroit's Jackson Jobe. Both pitchers represent the next wave of young arms in their respective organizations, making this a compelling late-September contest with eyes firmly fixed on what these two can do. Catch it on SportsNet Pittsburgh or Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Bubba Chandler vs. Jackson Jobe

Bubba Chandler has been one of the more intriguing young starters in the Pittsburgh system, and a late-season road start at Comerica is exactly the kind of proving ground that matters heading into the offseason. The Pirates have to like what they see when a young arm steps into a hostile environment and competes. Chandler's stuff — a power arm built on athleticism and projection — gives Pittsburgh a legitimate shot to steal a road game.

On the other side, Jackson Jobe is Detroit's answer at the top of their pitching future. The Tigers have invested heavily in their young rotation, and Jobe is a centerpiece of that vision. Facing a Pirates lineup on the road in a September game with nothing easy about it will tell you something about where Jobe is as a pitcher right now. Both starters are worth watching closely, independent of the final score.

Detroit Tigers Lineup to Watch

The Tigers are rolling out a lineup with a clear identity. Max Clark leads off in center field — the former first-overall pick continues to be one of the most closely watched young hitters in the American League. Behind him, Hao-Yu Lee slots in at second base, followed by Kevin McGonigle at third. Eduardo Valencia gets the DH spot and bats cleanup, with Riley Greene — Detroit's most established offensive threat in this group — hitting fifth in left field.

• Max Clark (CF) — Leadoff, high-ceiling prospect who draws attention every at-bat
• Riley Greene (LF) — The veteran presence in a young Detroit lineup batting fifth
• Eduardo Valencia (DH) — Cleanup hitter the Pirates cannot allow to beat them with runners on base
• Spencer Torkelson (1B) — Batting eighth, but Torkelson's power means he is never truly buried

Keys to the Game for Pittsburgh

• Chandler's command early: Road starts against young, hungry lineups can get away from you fast. Chandler needs to establish his fastball and keep the Tigers off-balance in the first three innings.
• Handle the middle of Detroit's order: Valencia and Greene represent legitimate run-producing threats. The Pirates bullpen situation matters here — if Chandler labors through five innings, Pittsburgh's margin for error shrinks.
• Make Jobe work: If the Pirates can grind at-bats and push Jobe's pitch count, they give their bullpen a path to exploit a Detroit relief corps late in the game.
• Capitalize on Torkelson: Hitting eighth, Torkelson is still dangerous, but pitching around him to get to Jobe — or whoever follows — is a legitimate tactical option late in counts.

Prediction

This one has the feel of a tight, low-scoring game decided by one big swing or a bullpen miscue. Two young starters with something to prove tend to produce that kind of September baseball. Detroit holds the home advantage and a lineup with enough young talent to be dangerous, but Bubba Chandler is capable of keeping Pittsburgh in it deep into the game. Call it a 3-2 Tigers win in a game that goes down to the seventh inning before Detroit's bullpen slams the door. The Pirates won't embarrass themselves here — but Comerica is a tough place to pick up a road win late in September.