Thursday: Cool Chad's Start Rained Out, Homestand Rotation, Notes

Today's finale at Fenway has been rained out; the remake will be April 13th at 2:05. It was a common off-date for both clubs, though the timing isn't so hot for the Pirates.

They'll play Boston, go to Chicago for three, play three more in St. Louis and then host the NY Yankees and Cubs at PNC after a travel day. That's a pretty stiff 13-game test and makes the upcoming homestand against the Bravos and Reds pretty big if the Pirates are to escape April in one piece.

Chad Kuhl lost his start today and Ivan Nova will still go in tomorrow's Home Opener against Atlanta. But Cool Chad won't be on ice long. He'll go Saturday with Gerrit Cole getting the call for Sunday. For the Reds, coming to town right after Atlanta, the rotation will line up as Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon and Nova.

Chad gets bumped to Saturday (image via Pittsburgh Pirates)

This of course is based on getting the game in tomorrow, and the forecast calls for snow showers, 20-30 MPH winds and 38 degrees, so we'll see if Mother Nature wants to play ball.

Notes:

• Joe Block tweet: It's been at least 105 years - if ever - since the Pirates played 12+ innings and did not reach second base as they did last night. He also noted that in the last 10 years, the Pirates have started 0-2 one other time: In 2015, when they won 98 games to serve as a reminder that the pennant race is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Pirates Prospects reported (subscription required) that Nick Kingham (7 day/sprained ankle), Barrett Barnes, and Jin-De Jhang are on the minor league DL.
• The Heinz History Center baseball exhibit was just boosted by the donation of Maz's jersey and bat from Game #7 in 1960, a gift from a member of the Steelers' ownership group and baseball fan Thomas Tull.

Steven Brault gets the Indy Opener (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

• Minor League Openers: Indy faces Toledo at Victory Field this evening with Steven Brault getting the honors; the Altoona Curve visits Harrisburg with Alex McRae climbing the mound tonight, and Bradenton opens Saturday night against Charlotte at LECOM Park with Mitch Keller on the hill. 
• And what's a slow start following a 78-win season get ya? As Rob Beirtempfel discovered, it makes Clint Hurdle the bettor's choice to be the first manager fired per Vegas' Bovada Sportsbook: