Pirates 2023 Home Opener: Your Patch Guide To PNC Park Festivities

PITTSBURGH, PA — Even when your team is perpetually lousy, as the Pirates have mostly been for the past three decades, there's something special about the home opener.

There's the familiarity that comes from being back at the always-spectacular PNC Park, a sense of optimism because the team isn't yet out of the pennant race and not even a hint of the crushed expectations likely looming as summer draws near.

After a surprising 4-2 start to the season and a sweep of the Red Sox in Boston, the Pirates hold their 2013 home opener against the Chicago White Sox at 4:12 p.m. Why the odd starting time? The team apparently had a hankering to have the first pitch reflect Western Pennsylvania's dominant area code.

The game marks the first time the legendary Andrew McCutchen will be back at PNC Park in a Pirates uniform since he was unceremoniously traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2018. Expect him to get a standing ovation when he is introduced.

Two other Bucs who also played prominent roles in the team's wild-card playoff appearances in 2013-15 also will be on hand. Former pitcher A.J. Burnett will throw out the first pitch to Russell Martin, his former battery mate.

Other noteworthy nuggets about Friday's game:

• Fans will get their first look at PNC Park's new 83,000-pound monster scoreboard.

• Some new eats and treats will be available at the ballpark this year.

• Local chain Caliente Pizza & Draft House pizza will now be on sale in the stadium.

• If you're Catholic, can you eat meat at the ballpark on Good Friday? The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has issued its ruling.