The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without one of their most consistent bats on Tuesday night as Brandon Lowe is left out of the starting lineup for the matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Manager Derek Shelton confirmed the move, citing Lowe's recent struggles against left‑handed pitchers.
A left‑handed challenge
Chicago has elected to start left‑handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, a move that directly targets Lowe's seasonal weakness. Lowe has managed just .209 against left‑handed arms all season and has gone 0‑for‑7 in his last 21 at‑bats, leaving the Pirates with a clear tactical dilemma.
In response, the club has turned to Nick Gonzales to fill the second‑base spot vacated by Lowe. The young infielder, who has shown flashes of power this year, will look to provide stability while the Pirates rely on the rest of their veteran core to generate offense.
The rest of the lineup remains anchored by familiar names. Jake Mangum, Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O’Hearn, Marcell Ozuna and rookie pitcher Paul Skenes are all slated to start, giving the Pirates a blend of speed, power and pitching depth.
Supporting cast steps up
Jared Triolo will slide into third base, while Jacob Gonzalez takes over shortstop duties. Both players have seen increased playing time recently and will be charged with maintaining the team's defensive cohesion in Lowe's absence.
Beyond the immediate lineup changes, the Pirates hope the adjustment will spark a broader offensive resurgence. With Lowe's 21 home runs and 65 RBIs still ranking among the league's top contributors, his temporary removal underscores the importance of depth as the season progresses.