Yankees Set to Clash with Pirates as Max Fried Seeks Redemption
Alright, let's talk baseball—specifically this intriguing Yankees vs. Pirates series kicking off Friday, April 4. The Yankees, coming in with a solid 4-2 record, are traveling to PNC Park to face a struggling Pirates squad sitting at 2-5. This isn’t just another early-season matchup—it’s one packed with momentum shifts, standout performances, and big-time expectations, especially for Yankees ace Max Fried.
Fried is getting the ball in Game 1, and all eyes are on him. He made his debut for New York last weekend against Milwaukee and, to be honest, it didn’t go quite as smoothly as fans might’ve hoped. He lasted just 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits and two earned runs, along with four strikeouts and two walks. While not disastrous, Fried definitely didn’t look fully dialed in—and throwing 99 pitches that early in the season is a red flag for endurance. He’ll be itching to make a statement against the Pirates.
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Pittsburgh is countering with Mitch Keller, who looked sharp in his first outing of the year—six innings of one-run ball against the Marlins. This duel between Fried and Keller sets up a classic pitching showdown, though the Yankees’ bats could easily shift the balance. Aaron Judge is already on a tear, batting .417 with five home runs and 15 RBIs through just six games. The guy’s locked in. Volpe, meanwhile, is finally starting to contribute in ways beyond just the long ball, which bodes well for a more dynamic offense.
Now, betting-wise? The Yankees are favored at -152 on the moneyline, and the spread sits at -1.5 in their favor. Over/under is set at 8.0 runs. NBC Sports Bet is backing New York all the way—moneyline, against the spread, and even leaning toward the over. Considering how both teams have performed recently, it’s a smart bet. Pittsburgh’s games have mostly hit the under, but the Yankees have that explosive potential to bust things open quick.
This weekend series is also a great test for the Yankees' depth. Saturday sees Marcus Stroman take the mound—another veteran who didn’t go deep in his debut, much like Fried. Sunday, the young Will Warren gets his chance to build on a promising start. The Pirates, meanwhile, counter with Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney, both of whom showed control and poise in their first starts of the year.
And let’s not forget—no Paul Skenes this series. That’s a bummer for fans wanting to see the Pirates’ phenom in action, but it’s still a big opportunity for their current rotation to step up.
So whether you're tuning in for the betting action, the pitching matchups, or just to see if Aaron Judge continues his monster streak, this Yankees vs. Pirates series has layers. Keep your eyes locked on PNC Park—it’s gonna be a good one.
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