Pirates Yankees: Live 0-0 as Game 1 doubleheader begins
The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees are scoreless in the top of the first at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader, after Tuesday’s contest was rained out. Mitch Keller faces Gerrit Cole in the opener as both clubs chase midseason playoff positioning.
Key Takeaways
- The Pirates Yankees Game 1 is 0-0 in the top of the first at Yankee Stadium.
- Tuesday’s series game was postponed by weather and moved into a separate-admission twin bill on Wednesday.
- Gerrit Cole starts opposite Mitch Keller at 1:05 p.m. ET; Max Fried returns in the 7:05 p.m. ET nightcap.
- New York (56-44) is the -188 favorite; the SportsLine model leans Under 9.5 after 10,000 simulations.
- Pittsburgh (52-49) remains tied for the final National League Wild Card berth.
Why are the Pirates and Yankees playing two games today?
Inclement weather forced MLB to postpone Tuesday’s Yankee Stadium matchup about five hours before first pitch. The makeup is a separate-admission day-night doubleheader on Wednesday, July 22.
The regularly scheduled contest moved up a half-hour to 1:05 p.m. ET. The rained-out game is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Fans holding Tuesday tickets may use them for the nightcap or exchange them under the club’s rain-check policy, according to MLB.com.
It is New York’s second day-night doubleheader in four days after a Sunday twin bill with the Dodgers. For more midseason sports-tech coverage, see Future Tech & AI Wonders.
Who is pitching in the Pirates Yankees doubleheader?
In Game 1, former Pirate Gerrit Cole (3-5, 3.93 ERA) starts for the Yankees against Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (6-7, 5.14 ERA). Yahoo Sports lists Keller on the mound as the top of the first opens with a scoreless board.
In Game 2, Max Fried is scheduled to return from the injured list for his first start since May 13, opposite Bubba Chandler. Both games are slated for the YES Network. Conditions at first pitch: 84°F, partly cloudy, wind 12 mph from the WNW.
What do the odds and projection model say?
CBS Sports lists the Yankees at -188 on the money line, with Pittsburgh at +156 and a 9.5-run total. SportsLine’s advanced model, which simulates each game 10,000 times, projects about 9.3 combined runs and backs the Under.
The model cites Cole’s sub-4.00 ERA and an 8-2 Under record when he starts, plus current Pirates hitters batting just .185 (15-for-81) against him. Keller’s day-game ERA (3.60) is also far stronger than his night mark (6.58).
New York won Monday’s series opener 8-5 and sits second in the AL East. Pittsburgh is fourth in the NL Central but still tied for the last Wild Card spot—so every out in this twin bill carries playoff weight.