Pirates Preview: Back at PNC Park Against Another Cy Young Winner

Danny Demilio |

Jun 20, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates split a doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Thursday.

The Bucs were thumped 9-2 in game one but won 8-4 in 10 innings in the nightcap.

On Friday, the Pirates (30-46) will return to PNC Park for a weekend series with the Texas Rangers (36-39) when they face two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Temperatures around 80 degrees at first pitch with mostly cloudy skies. Winds WSW at 4-8 mph.

RHP Mike Burrows (1-1, 4.24 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

The last time Burrows took the mound was at Wigley Field against the Cubs on Saturday when he struck out a career-high eight batters and allowed one run in 5.1 innings.

In three starts this month, the right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA/1.68 FIP with 20 strikeouts in 15.0 innings.

Among pitchers to log at least 10 innings in June, Burrows ranks eight with 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He also ranks ninth in the National League in ERA and fifth in FIP this month.

This will be Burrows’ first time facing Texas.

RHP Jacob deGrom (6-2, 2.19 ERA) Will Start For the Rangers

deGrom allowed two runs in 6.0 innings with six strikeouts in his last start against the White Sox on Saturday.

The veteran right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last 11 starts and is 6-2 with a 1.73 ERA over that stretch.

deGrom ranks sixth in baseball in ERA, fifth in WHIP (0.91), 10th in walks per nine (1.86) and 11th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.71).

In his career against the Pirates, deGrom is 2-3 with a 2.89 ERA in eight starts.

Rangers Hitters vs. Burrows

Pirates Hitters vs. deGrom

Andrew McCutchen: 7 for 27, two RBI, one walk, eight strikeouts
Adam Frazier: 4 for 10, one double, two RBI, two strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 2 for 8, one walk, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 3 for 6, one double, one home run
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 5, four strikeouts

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen enters Friday’s game one hit shy of tying Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for 185th place on the all-time list with 2,215.
Jacob deGrom is the active leader in career ERA (2.50)
The Pirates have not won a three-game series against the Rangers since 2013, the same series they clinched their first winning season since 1992 on Sep. 9. Pittsburgh swept Texas in three games.