Lineup adjustments
The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to meet the Chicago Cubs at 6:40 p.m. ET, a contest that could affect both teams' positioning as the season draws to a close.
Brandon Lowe, who has appeared in 96 games this season and is tied for 14th in the league with 65 RBIs, is absent from the Pirates' starting lineup.
Lowe's recent performance has been uneven; he is batting just .143 over his last 21 at‑bats and has struggled against left‑handed pitching all year, hitting .209.
The Cubs will counter with left‑hander Shota Imanaga, who enters the game at 6‑8 with a 3.91 ERA, making Lowe's bench role a logical tactical decision.
In Lowe's place, Nick Gonzales will take over at second base, while Jared Triolo slides to third and Jacob Gonzalez is slotted in at shortstop, reshaping the infield.
The club has indicated there are no health concerns for Lowe, leaving the move purely tactical, and he remains available as a pinch‑hitter if needed.