Major League Baseball announced Wednesday the schedule for the 2023 season. Opening day is set for March 30, with the Pirates set to square off with the Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates will then head to Boston, then return to Pittsburgh to face the White Sox in the home opener for the first time in team history.
Beginning in 2023, MLB is shifting to a balanced schedule, meaning each club will play at least one series against all 29 others. For the Pirates, 22 clubs will visit PNC Park next season. Among those clubs: Former National League Central rival Astros for the first time since 2016 and the Athletics' fourth visit to PNC Park since the stadium opened in 2001.
Among the American League opponents, Pittsburgh will host the White Sox, Astros, Blue Jays, Rangers, Athletics, Guardians, Tigers and Yankees. The Pirates will travel to Boston, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Seattle, Anaheim, Minnesota and Kansas City. The Pirates' trip to Seattle will be the first since 2016.
The Tigers are the only AL club the Pirates play at home and on the road with a pair of two-game series.
Due to the balanced schedule, all teams will play 13 games against each divisional opponent as opposed to the 19 games each in the current system. The Pirates will have two lengthy stretches without playing an NL Central foe (April 24 through June 1, July 3 through Aug. 10).
Here is the Pirates' full 2023 schedule:
PIRATES
