After dropping Monday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates were seeking to rebound and get back in the win column on Tuesday. Fortunately for them, they had the right guy on the mound in Bubba Chandler.

Chandler rose to the occasion in his 2026 season debut, shutting down the Reds over 4 1/3 innings and helping the Pirates cruise to an 8-3 victory at Great American Ball Park.

The 23-year-old rookie got off to a great start, picking up where he left off last year. He struck out the first two batters he faced and retired the first six, fanning four.

Pittsburgh spotted him five runs in the top of the second, giving him plenty of run support and allowing him to pitch with the lead. The only run he allowed in the bottom of the third was unearned, and he did not surrender any hits. 

 

Bubba Chandler tonight:

4.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 6 SO
81 pitches, 43 strikes, 11 whiffs

Was excellent up until the 5th. What a start. 0.00 ERA. pic.twitter.com/ERhcArxsDL

— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) April 1, 2026

 

Chandler pitched into the fifth, but wasn’t able to complete the frame after walking the bases loaded with one out. His command was spotty, resulting in six walks and just 43 strikes on 81 pitches.

While his shakiness at the end of the outing prevented him from earning the win, it was still a strong, impressive performance. He finished with six strikeouts and silenced a hot Cincinnati team that had won three of four to start the year.

Chandler will look to hone his control and build off Tuesday’s outing, which will likely come early next week at home against the San Diego Padres.

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