Bucs' 2020 Spring Training schedule is here
For the 51st consecutive season, the Pirates will make LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., their Spring Training home, and the club announced its schedule for 2020 preseason festivities on Monday.
The Pirates will open Grapefruit League play on Saturday, Feb. 22 by hosting the Minnesota Twins and wrap up on Tuesday, March 24 with a trip to Lakeland, Fla., to visit the Detroit Tigers.
Other highlights of the schedule include a St. Patrick’s Day matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 17 and a home night game against the Twins on March 13.
The Bucs will also preview their Opening Day opponent, hosting the Tampa Bay Rays in Bradenton on March 22, four days before the teams will meet at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to start the regular season.
For the first time since 2016, Pittsburgh will not play any preseason exhibition games in between Grapefruit League play and the regular season, meaning that the club will be able to transition directly from its Spring Training home to its season-opening road trip, which is just a 25-mile drive to the other side of Tampa Bay.