Report: Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds Could Play a Monday Double Header

After having their games against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday and Sunday postponed, the Pittsburgh Pirates could potentially play a Monday double header.

As anyone who is reading this likely knows, following Friday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds a player from the Reds tested positive for the coronavirus. Due to this, the games that were scheduled between the two teams for Saturday and Sunday were postponed.

On Saturday, the entire on field staff of both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds were tested for the virus. Thankfully, all of the test results came back negative. This could, potentially, open the door for the two teams to play a double header on Monday.

The Reds will be tested again on Sunday, and, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, if the tests come back negative Monday’s double header will happen.

If safe to play, a Monday double header makes a lot of sense. After all, neither the Pittsburgh Pirates nor the Cincinnati Reds have a game scheduled for Monday.

If the proposed double header does take place, it will throw a wrench in the pitching plans for the week for the Pirates. Steven Brault was scheduled to start Saturday with Derek Holland scheduled to go on Sunday. So, these two lefties could pitch the two games of the double header.

JT Brubaker could start against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, with Trevor Williams going Wednesday and Chad Khul on Thursday. However, this is where things would start to get dicey. Neither Brault nor Holland would be on their normal rest for Friday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Due to this, the team may need a spot starter for that game.

They could also use a spot starter in one of Monday’s games, and then push everyone else back a day. Brandon Waddell, who made his MLB debut on Friday night out of the bullpen, could make a spot start as he has been a starting pitcher throughout his minor league career. The team could also look to turn to Nick Tropeano, who they recently claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees.

If there is a double header on Monday, regardless, it will throw yet another wrench into the plans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Make sure to stay tuned here at Rum Bunter and to follow our social media to continue to track this developing story.