This is the latest first meeting of the year between the Cubs and Pirates since 1998, another year where there was a balanced schedule. That year, the teams did not meet until the Cubs’ 85th game on July 1, a game the Cubs won 12-9. Tonight is the Cubs’ 66th game.
The teams will also meet next week in Pittsburgh, so six of the Cubs’ next nine games will be against the Pirates. Get used to seeing a lot of these guys over the next nine days.
For more on the Pirates, here’s Jeremy Brener of our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout.