The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up a home date at PNC Park on Thursday, September 3, when they welcome the San Francisco Giants for a 12:35 PM ET first pitch. Lake Bachar gets the ball for Pittsburgh opposite San Francisco's Blade Tidwell in what amounts to a late-season matchup with regular season standings implications still in play. The game airs locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh and on the radio via 100.1 FM/KDKA-AM 1020 for Pirates fans tuning in from across the region.
Probable Pitchers: Lake Bachar vs. Blade Tidwell
Lake Bachar draws the Thursday afternoon assignment for the Pirates. Bachar has worked his way into Pittsburgh's rotation picture, and this start gives him a chance to make a case heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Every outing at this stage of September carries roster and organizational weight, whether the Pirates are fighting for positioning or developing pieces for next year.
On the other side, Blade Tidwell gets the nod for San Francisco. Tidwell is a young arm who has been part of the Giants' pitching mix this season. Like Bachar, he represents the kind of pitcher both clubs are evaluating as they look ahead. This matchup of developing starters gives the afternoon a legitimate scouting subplot alongside the competitive one.
Keys to Watch at PNC Park
- Bachar's command and pitch mix: How Bachar attacks San Francisco's lineup early will set the tone. If he can work efficiently through the Giants' order and limit walks, Pittsburgh's bullpen gets a break heading into a critical part of the schedule.
- Capitalizing against a young starter: Tidwell is still establishing himself at the major league level. Pittsburgh's lineup needs to be patient, work counts, and force him into trouble early rather than swinging themselves into easy outs.
- PNC Park day game energy: Thursday afternoon games at PNC Park have a distinct rhythm. Lineups tend to grind more deliberately, and teams that execute the fundamentals — moving runners, playing clean defense — tend to hold the edge.
- Bullpen management: With rosters expanded in September, both managers have options. Watch how each club deploys its extra arms if the starter exits before the sixth inning.
Prediction
This is the kind of September afternoon game that gets decided by which team makes fewer mistakes. Bachar has the home-field advantage and a PNC Park crowd behind him, which matters in day games when the ballpark is intimate and loud. The Pirates take this one by keeping the Giants off the bases early and getting just enough offense against a Tidwell who is still finding his footing at this level. Pirates 4, Giants 2.
