(Photo Courtesy Pittsburgh Pirates)
The Pirates will host National League West Division runner-up, the San Francisco Giants for a one-game Wild Card, with the winner moving on to play the Washington Nationals in a five-game Division Series beginning on Friday.
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 8:07 p.m. at PNC Park (ESPN, 93.7 FM, Pirates Radio Network)
Starting Pitchers:
Giants: LH Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98 ERA, 219 Ks).
Pirates: RH Edinson Volquez (13-7, 3.04 ERA).
Projected Lineups:
Giants: CF Gregor Blanco (.260, 5 HRs, 38 RBIs), 2B Joe Panik (.305, 1, 18), C Buster Posey (.311, 22, 89), 3B Pablo Sandoval (.279, 16, 73), RF Hunter Pence (.277, 20, 74), 1B Brandon Belt (.243, 12, 27), LF Travis Ishikawa (.252, 3, 18 with Pirates and Giants), SS Brandon Crawford (.246, 10, 69).
Pirates: 3B Josh Harrison (.315, 13, 52, 38 doubles), RF Travis Snider (.264, 13, 38), CF Andrew McCutchen (.314, 25, 83, 38 doubles, 84 walks), 2B Neil Walker (.271, 23, 76), C Russell Martin (.290, 11, 67), LF Starling Marte (.291, 13, 56, 30 SBs), 1B Gaby Sanchez (.229, 7, 33) or Ike Davis (.233, 11, 51 with Mets and Pirates), SS Jordy Mercer (.255, 12, 55).
Game Notes:
- “Blackout”: A Record Number of Fans Expected to Black Out PNC Park in support of the Pirates as part of the PNC Blackout.
- Fun on Federal Street: Federal Street will be closed starting at 10 a.m. As with every home game throughout the season, the Clemente Bridge and Federal Street will be closed and used for pedestrian traffic only. Starting at 4:30 p.m. there will be activities on Federal Street including music by a Pittsburgh-based disc jockey, food trucks, the Budweiser Bar and more.
- Food Trucks: Nakama, BRGR and Chickie’s and Pete’s food trucks will be on Federal Street pregame serving local favorites.
- CBS on Federal: Four stations from Pirates partners CBS Radio will broadcast live from Federal Street. Stations broadcasting live outside PNC include Pirates flagship 93.7 The Fan, 1020 AM KDKA, Star 100.7 and Y108.
- Gates Open: The PNC Park Riverwalk will open at 5:30 p.m. and PNC Park gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m.
- Giveaway: All fans entering the park will receive a black Pirates Postseason rally towel, courtesy of Highmark, Allegheny Health Network and Trib Total Media.
- Pregame Ceremony Begins at 7:30 p.m.
- First Pitch: The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by former Pirates right-hander and 1979 World Series Champion Kent Tekulve. Tekulve threw the final pitch of the 1979 World Series when the Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games.
- Armed Services Representative: Sergeant Tiara D. Pompay of the United States Army will represent the U.S. Armed Forces on the field during the evening’s pregame ceremonies. Sergeant Pompay is a Pittsburgh native who served in Afghanistan and is currently stationed in South Korea.
- National Anthem: The National Anthem will be performed by local musician Maddie Georgi.
Welcome to Buctober:
The Pirates have a dedicated fan page on pirates.com/buctober to celebrate the team’s postseason berth. The team will be adding fan content throughout October, including pictures and interviews generated by Pirates fans.
Around the Park:
Open to all fans starting at 4:30 p.m., Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club boasts a full service food menu and full bar with great selections of local & national craft beers. The Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club continues full service throughout the entirety of the game and up to two hours after the game. In addition to the restaurant, Aramark will add new concepts and specialty food locations throughout the ballpark showcasing local menus and wood fired pizza.
New for the 2014 Postseason is the Rivertowne Brewing Home Game Pubfeaturing Pittsburgh BBQ at PNC Park, located off of West General Robinson near the Home Plate Rotunda entrance. Pittsburgh BBQ will feature Pulled Sliders with your choice of either pulled pork or pulled chicken or a combination of the two. The Rivertowne Home Game Pub will offer a full service bar featuring Rivertowne beer selections in cans and on draft along with complementary peanuts and popcorn.
Returning this post-season is Skull Island, but in a new location! Opening at 5:30 p.m., Skull Island will be located in the Smorgasburgh area behind section 107. This destination will feature a rotating menu from Spoon, Wood Fired Pizza and Pittsburgh BBQ. There will be a full service bar with high end liquor and Rivertowne Brewing beer selections. Skull Island Bar will feature specialty drinks such as the Jolly Roger, Rum Spiced Sangria, and Apple Cider Margaritas. A steel drum band will provide live entertainment before the game and guests will be able to watch the game while enjoying the island atmosphere.
Along with offerings from Skull Island, Aramark will set up Chef-Attended Action Stations in Sections 101, 108, & 113.
Section 101 will offer one of the most popular offerings from this season — a Carved Turkey Sandwich. Oven roasted carved turkey and placed on a fresh Kaiser roll topped with Swiss cheese and served with your choice of herb mayonnaise or honey mustard served with house made kettle chips.
Section 108 will feature two new sandwiches. A half pound chargrilled burger topped with sliced cheddar cheese, arugula, roasted red and yellow peppers, and chipotle mayo. Also featured is a grilled chicken bacon ranch sandwich topped with smoked Gouda, spinach, apple wood smoked bacon, and home-made ranch spread.
Section 113 will offer the other most popular offering from this season — a Stacked Ham Sandwich. Oven baked carved ham stacked high on a fresh Kaiser roll topped with Swiss cheese and your choice of honey or spicy brown mustard served with house made kettle chips.
Parking:
Parking lots and garages on the North Shore will open at 4 p.m. for event parking.
Fans not holding pre-sold parking passes and arriving after 7 p.m., are encouraged to park in downtown. Parking in the Golden Triangle will be available for just $5 in the (7) of the Parking Authority Garages. Check for space availability via iPhone (ParkPGH); Mobile (m.parkpgh.org); SMS/Text and Voice (412-423-8980).
Fans are encouraged to ride the FREE “T” from the four Golden Triangle stations to the North Side Station just outside of PNC Park’s Trib-Total Media Home Plate Gate.
Parking is also available at:
- Allegheny Center Garage
- Station Square Gateway Clipper Shuttles – The Gateway Clipper will take fans directly to PNC Park from this location. Children six-years-old and under are free.
Also, fans who prefer to park west of Allegheny Avenue, can ride the “T” for free from the Allegheny Station outside of Heinz Field to the North Side Station just outside of PNC Park. Parking includes:
- Carnegie Science Lots
- Ridge Avenue Lots
- For Fans Over 21 — Rivers Casino Garage – Due to Rivers Casino policy, everyone in the vehicle must be 21 years or older to enter the garage.
Follow the game live on www.pirates.com.