The San Francisco Giants head to PNC Park on Wednesday, September 2 for a 6:40 PM ET first pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a regular-season matchup that carries real weight down the stretch. Landen Roupp gets the ball for San Francisco against Pittsburgh's Jared Jones. For Giants fans tuning in from the Bay, catch the action on NBCS BA or listen on KNBR 680. This is a road game where the Giants need to prove they can win away from home against a Pirates club that can be dangerous in its own ballpark.
Giants vs. Pirates: Wednesday Night Pitching Matchup at PNC Park
Landen Roupp draws the start for San Francisco. The right-hander has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Giants rotation this season, and this is exactly the kind of start that will define what he is — a legitimate rotation piece or a work in progress. Pittsburgh counters with Jared Jones, a young, high-upside arm who the Pirates have leaned on as part of their rebuild. Jones has the raw stuff to keep any lineup off balance, and the Giants cannot afford to sleepwalk through the early innings against him.
Three Keys to Watch for San Francisco
- Roupp's command early: PNC Park crowds can get loud in a hurry if the home team gets on the board first. Roupp needs to work efficiently and keep Pittsburgh off the bases in the first two innings to set the tone for San Francisco.
- Attacking Jones before he settles in: Young pitchers with big arms can be vulnerable before they find a groove. The Giants' lineup needs to be aggressive and make Jones work deep into counts rather than chasing early in at-bats.
- Bullpen management on the road: Road games in September demand sharp decisions from the dugout. San Francisco's ability to manage its bullpen arms and protect any lead late will be critical if this game tightens up in the seventh inning and beyond.
Giants vs. Pirates Prediction
This shapes up as a competitive, low-scoring game with two pitchers who are capable of keeping runs off the board. Roupp has the ability to give San Francisco a quality start, and if the Giants offense can scratch out two or three runs in the middle innings against Jones, that may be enough. Road wins in September are never easy, but the Giants have the pitching to stay in this one from the first pitch. San Francisco wins a tight one, 3-2.
