PNC Park Ready For Another Wild Card Game & 'Blackout'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA)- PNC Park is ready to host its third straight Wild Card game on Wednesday night.
The Pirates are calling for a blackout again this year. The team is asking all fans to wear black Pirates gear to the game. Each fan will be given a black Pirates Postseason rally towel.
The gates to PNC Park open at 5:30 p.m. and a ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by former Pirate and current broadcaster Bob Walk.
Andrew McCutchen's mother, Petrina, will be singing the National Anthem at PNC Park. First pitch for tonight's Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs is set for 8:08 p.m.
As far as parking, the North Shore lots will be closed this morning and will open at 4 p.m. to welcome in Pirates fans. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close at 10 a.m. to prepare for a lot of fun along Federal Street.
Fans can ride the "T" for free from four Golden Triangle stations to the North Side Station outside of PNC Park. There will also be shuttles on the Gateway Clipper fleet from Station Square.
The Pirates are asking all fans to follow the following rules for getting to the game and through security:
1. Please allow for additional time when coming to the game.
2. Please minimize all unnecessary bags and metal objects when coming into the ballpark.
3. When approaching the security screener, please hold keys, cell phones and any other metal objects out of pockets
and in your hands.
The Pirates are ready for the Wild Card game and feel they are prepared after hosting the game the past two seasons.
"It's the nature of this one game Wild Card," said starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. "It can be the most exciting game of the year, and for the other team, the most disappointing. I think we've tasted both sides."
Cole went on to talk about the big advantage of having this game at PNC Park.
"It's an advantage for us for sure, especially when you have fans that can make noise like these ones can, it can rattle some people, that's no joke," he said.
"I think this game is its own animal," said manager Clint Hurdle. "This is the fourth time I've been in it. It's great TV, there will be a lot of people watching."
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