Bubba Chandler had to wait a little longer than he would have liked to make his major-league debut, but his first time stepping onto the PNC Park mound was worth the delay.

With All-Star Paul Skenes, veteran Mitch Keller, fellow rookie Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo as starters, Carmen Mlodzinski, Isaac Mattson and Dennis Santana in the pen, the Pirates possess a pitching staff that could get this downtrodden franchise back to the postseason.

The Pirates got a great performance Friday from rookie Bubba Chandler. Chandler's Pirates teammate was in awe of the reliever.