With the Cardinals having an unusual early-season workload of nine games in nine days starting Saturday afternoon, manager Oliver Marmol said his bench players would get some starting chances. But, before the game began, Marmol, who said during his pre-game media session that he was not feeling well, was sidelined himself by team medical officials after he was diagnosed with the flu and bench coach Skip Schumaker managed the game.
Marmol was tested for COVID-19 and the results were negative.
The first change in the lineup came at designated hitter Saturday when Corey Dickerson, a left-handed batter who has been with seven other teams including Pittsburgh, faced Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller.