Bubba Chandler shines in return to home state, leads Pirates to victory over Braves

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sep 27, 2025

Published in Baseball

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ATLANTA — Knowing nearly 200 friends and family members made the trip to Truist Park to watch his final start of the season, Bubba Chandler had no other choice but to put on a show. The game’s top pitching prospect concluded his brief 2025 campaign Saturday evening with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, which set the table for a 3-1 Pirates victory.

Born and raised in Lawrenceville, Ga., less than an hour’s drive from the Braves’ ballpark, Chandler never took time to visit the venue as a spectator. His first visit was yesterday, when his team began its final series of the year.

He waited throughout those nine innings knowing the next game would be one he’d remember forever. And those memories will be good ones.

Chandler allowed just four hits, walked none and struck out six. His lone run surrendered came in the bottom of the second inning, when Marcell Ozuna drove home Drake Baldwin, who led that frame off with a triple.

But that lone miscue wasn’t enough to bother the right-hander. His fastball was humming, paving the way for an efficient 86-pitch outing. His efforts were also enough to make him the game’s winning pitcher, putting his record to 4-1 on the year.

Chandler logged just 31 1/3 major league innings this year, meaning he will maintain his rookie status for all of 2026. But those 31 1/3 innings included a handful of valuable lessons he will take into next season.

There were many highs and a few lows, all leading to a 4.03 ERA and 0.93 WHIP — a solid foundation to build upon.

It was over when ...

... the Pirates took the lead for good in the top of the sixth thanks to a double from Nick Gonzales, which scored Spencer Horwitz. Jack Suwinski plated Gonzales two batters later with a single, making the score 3-1.

On the mound

Chase Shugart, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, replaced Chandler on the mound with one out remaining in the sixth. He closed out that frame by getting Baldwin to look at a called third strike.

Shugart returned for the seventh, when he retired the side in order. Justin Lawrence did the same in the eighth, setting the stage for Dennis Santana to earn the save in the ninth, his 16th of the year.

At the plate

Henry Davis plated the Pirates’ first run of the evening via a solo homer to left field, his seventh longball of the season. His blast marked one of 10 hits for the Pirates on Saturday evening, five more than Atlanta’s total. Horwitz, Suwinski and Jared Triolo all delivered multi-hit efforts.

Most valuable player

Chandler, who earned the win in front of his hometown crowd.

Up next

The Pirates and Braves will conclude their 2025 seasons Sunday at Truist Park. Johan Oviedo (2-0, 3.57 ERA) will face Charlie Morton (9-11, 5.89) on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. ET.

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