Pirates Reveal Starting Pitchers for Yankees Doubleheader: A Crucial Matchup in the National League Wild Card Race

The highly anticipated matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees is just around the corner, with a doubleheader scheduled for July 22 at Yankee Stadium. The Pirates have announced their starting pitchers for both games, with Mitch Keller taking the mound in the first game and Bubba Chandler facing off against the Yankees in the second game.

This announcement comes as a surprise to many, as the Pirates typically take one of their pitchers off the doubleheader schedule. However, it seems that the team has decided to stick with their original plan, which could potentially set them up for success in the National League Wild Card race.

The Yankees, on the other hand, will be sending their ace right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole up against Keller in the first game. Cole, a former Pirates pitcher from 2013-17, underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025, but he is expected to make a strong comeback in his first year back from injury. In contrast, left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried will face off against Chandler in the second game.

Fried is just recovering from an injury and will be facing a Pirates team that has been inconsistent lately. Despite their recent struggles, the Pirates remain a force to be reckoned with in the National League Wild Card race, as they are currently battling it out with the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres for the final spot in the postseason.

The Pirates' decision to stick with their original starting pitchers could be a crucial factor in their success in the doubleheader. Keller and Chandler will still get adequate rest, as the Pirates have a day off on July 23, following this series and then go after that. This sets them up well for their next series against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, July 24-26, where Jared Jones is likely to start in the series opener, Paul Skenes in the next game, and Braxton Ashcraft in the series finale.

The Pirates are looking to bounce back from their series opener loss against the Yankees on July 20, where they dropped 8-5. Despite erasing an early 4-0 deficit, the team's poor defense and the struggles of right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft led the Yankees to score eight runs over three innings.

The doubleheader marks a crucial moment in the Pirates' season, as they look to close the gap with their rivals in the National League Wild Card race. Keller and Chandler will need to deliver strong performances if the Pirates are to stand a chance against the potent lineups of the Yankees. The crowd at Yankee Stadium will undoubtedly be electric, as the Pirates and Yankees clash in a battle that promises to be filled with excitement and drama.