Pirates vs. Orioles: The Highly Anticipated Home Opener Series
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All eyes in the baseball world are on the Pittsburgh Pirates. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, it's for a positive reason. That's because the unanimous top prospect in baseball,Konnor Griffin, is set to make his Major League debut at PNC Park for the Pirates (3-3) home opener against the Baltimore Orioles (3-3).
It feels like it's the most hype around a Pirates game since at least Paul Skenes' debut in 2024, and arguably since the 2013 National League Wild Card game. There will be a palpable buzz in the ballpark tomorrow, and not just because a 19-year-old wunderkind is playing his first game in the big leagues. But because for the first time in over a decade, it feels like the Pittsburgh Pirates can be a good, fun team. In the Ben Cherington era, they've mostly been neither.
This past off-season, they gave a concerted effort to buck that trend. The winter acquisitions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, Jake Mangum and Gregory Soto, are already looking wise. Four months of seemingly smart decisions later, there's momentum in Pittsburgh like we haven't felt since Andrew McCutchen was the National League MVP.
Opening Debut. pic.twitter.com/ILemWfjIHS
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 2, 2026
The Pirates were able to keep the promotion of Griffin relatively hushed, and broke the news themselves with a short video on Thursday. Later that day, ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the Pirates were finalizing a long-term deal with Griffin for nine years and $140 million dollars. So not only would Pirates fans get to enjoy Griffin for the home opener, they also would get to watch with comfort knowing that a potential homegrown superstar is going to call Pittsburgh home for the better part of the next decade. It made an already exciting home opener feel like it could be the biggest event in Pittsburgh all spring, in a city that will host the NFL Draft later this month.
The Book on Baltimore
The Orioles arrive in Pittsburgh having undergone a transformation of their own, one that was just as aggressive, if not more so. Baltimore’s front office entered the off-season determined to shed the label of an occasionally plucky upstart in the brutally competitive American League East division.
They did so by launching a full-scale assault on the free-agent and trade markets, headlined by the blockbuster addition of veteran slugger Pete Alonso to anchor a young lineup. Seeking to lengthen a lineup that already featured Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles brought in another proven power bat in Taylor Ward in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels.
They also bolstered their starting rotation, arguably the weakest link of their disappointing team last season. Baltimore signed two solid veteran right-handers in Zach Eflin and Chris Bassitt, while trading for young righty Shane Baz from the Rays. They also added flame-throwing Ryan Helsley to their bullpen. He led the league in saves in 2024 with the Cardinals.
When the first pitch is thrown by Mitch Keller on Friday afternoon, the story will rightfully center on the 19-year-old Griffin behind him at shortstop for the first time as a major leaguer, with a nine-figure contract already in his back pocket. But surrounding that moment will be two teams that, through different recent maneuvers, have reminded their fan bases what hope feels like.
Key Stats
- Boppin' Buccos: The Pirates are tied for the most HR in MLB (10). They finished last in MLB in HR in 2025.
- Birds on the Basepaths: Orioles' OBP is (.332) is seventh in MLB
- The Pirates and Orioles have met a total of 46 times. The Orioles lead the series 26-20.
Probable Pitchers & Matchups
Game 1: Friday, 4:12 PM EDT at PNC Park
- PIT: RHP Mitch Keller (6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K in first start of 2026 season)
- BAL: RHP Kyle Bradish (4.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K in first start of 2026 season)
- Key Battle: Bradish vs Pirates DH Marcell Ozuna (1-for-2, 1 HR in 2 career AB against Bradish)
Game 2: Saturday, 4:05 PM EDT at PNC Park
- PIT: RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K in first start of 2026)
- BAL: RHP Shane Baz (5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K in first start of 2026)
- Key Battle: Baz vs Pirates SS Konnor Griffin (First regular season matchup between Baz and Griffin)
Game 3: Sunday, 1:35 PM EDT at PNC Park
- PIT: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K in first start of 2026)
- BAL: RHP Chris Bassitt (4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K in first start of 2026)
- Key Battle: Bassitt vs Pirates 2B Brandon Lowe (.550 AVG, 1.841 OPS, 4 HR, 10 RBI in 20 career AB against Bassitt)
Players to Watch
- SP Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT): Set career high with 8 K in first start of 2026
- SS Konnor Griffin (PIT): Top-ranked prospect in baseball is making MLB debut
- 1B Pete Alonso (BAL): .304 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI in first week of season
- CP Ryan Helsley (BAL): 2-2 in save opportunities, 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H in first two appearances
Ethan Merrill is from Grand Rapids, MI, and brings with him a diverse background of experiences. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism, he worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks for three seasons before settling in the Pittsburgh area in 2020. With a passion for sports and a growing connection to his community, Ethan brings a fresh perspective to covering the Pittsburgh Pirates.