The Pittsburgh Pirates take the show on the road Wednesday, September 9, traveling to Rate Field in Chicago for a 7:40 PM ET matchup against the White Sox. Lake Bachar gets the ball for Pittsburgh against Chicago's Davis Martin in what shapes up as a classic late-season regular season contest between two clubs still writing their 2026 stories. With the calendar creeping toward October, every game in the standings carries weight — and the Pirates need wins wherever they can find them, including on the South Side.
Probable Starters: Lake Bachar vs. Davis Martin
The Pirates send Lake Bachar to the mound in what is a significant start for the right-hander. Bachar has been part of Pittsburgh's pitching mix this season, and Wednesday night represents another opportunity to prove his value in a rotation that has been pieced together with an eye toward the future. His ability to keep the White Sox offense in check early will be critical — falling behind in counts and letting Chicago get into the bullpen early is a script Pittsburgh wants to avoid.
On the other side, the White Sox counter with Davis Martin. Martin has experience navigating big league lineups, and the Pirates' lineup will need to be patient and disciplined against him. Working deep counts, getting on base, and stringing together quality at-bats will be the formula for Pittsburgh's offense to break through.
Keys to the Game for the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Bachar's command: If Bachar can attack the strike zone and limit walks, Pittsburgh's defense gives him a chance to keep this game close. Free passes in a road environment are a quick way to fall behind.
- Offensive patience: The Pirates need to grind through Martin's at-bats. Getting him out of the game early and exposing the Chicago bullpen is a legitimate path to putting runs on the board.
- Bullpen management: September baseball means rosters are expanded and arms are available. How Pittsburgh deploys its relief corps after Bachar could define the outcome in the late innings.
- Capitalizing on opportunities: Road wins don't come gift-wrapped. When the Pirates get runners in scoring position, they cannot afford to strand them — timely hitting will be the difference-maker.
What to Watch at Rate Field
Rate Field on a Wednesday night in September has its own energy. The White Sox faithful will be there, and the Pirates will be playing in a hostile environment — at least in spirit. Pittsburgh has shown the ability to win on the road this season, and this is exactly the kind of game a team with ambitions needs to take seriously. There are no throwaway series in September.
Keep an eye on how Bachar navigates the lineup the second and third time through the order. That stretch will reveal a lot about whether Pittsburgh can keep this one close or whether the bullpen will be asked to do heavy lifting.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Pittsburgh. Both starters are in similar spots — capable of a quality outing but not yet proven as locks. If Bachar brings his best stuff and the Pirates offense does its job against Martin early, expect Pittsburgh to have a chance to close this one out. Call it a narrow Pirates victory, 4-3, with the bullpen holding on in the final two innings. Catch the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh or listen on Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan.
