Pirates Preview: Bucs Try for Series Win Over Diamondbacks

Danny Demilio |

Jul 27, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates evened the series at one game apiece with a 2-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

Oneil Cruz’s two-run home run was the difference, and Andrew Heaney got the win after throwing five-shutout innings in what might’ve been his final start in the black and gold.

The Pirates (43-62) will go for the series win against the Diamondbacks (51-54) behind ace Paul Skenes on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Cloudy skies with temperatures in the low-to-mis 80s. Winds W-WSW at 7-8 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (5-8, 1.91 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes got his first win since May 28 (against the Diamondbacks) after throwing six-shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers earlier in the homestand.

In four starts this month, the Pirates’ ace has a 0.86 ERA and hasn’t allowed a run in three of those outings. He’s struck out 27 batters and walked two in 21 innings during that stretch.

Skenes leads baseball in ERA and opponent batting average (.186). His 5.2 bWAR is second in the National League behind the Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The right-hander threw 6.2-shutout innings against Arizona in May. He has a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against them.

RHP Zac Gallen (7-11, 5.58 ERA) Will Start for the Diamondbacks

Gallen last pitched against the Houston Astros on Monday and allowed six runs in six innings, resulting in his league-high-tying 11th loss of the year.

The right-hander, who has been the subject of trade speculation, has a 6.30 ERA over his last 13 starts since throwing a season-high seven innings against the New York Mets on May 6.

Gallen has allowed the most home runs among National League pitchers (23) while his .255 batting average against is the ninth-highest in the senior circuit.

He allowed six runs (five earned) in five innings against the Pirates on May 28 and is 3-3 with a 4.15 ERA in six career starts against them.

Diamondbacks Hitters vs. Skenes

Corbin Carroll: 3 for 6, one double, one triple
Alek Thomas: 1 for 5
Jose Herrera: 0 for 4, three strikeouts
Geraldo Perdomo: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Eugenio Suárez: 0 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Ketel Marte: 0 for 3, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Gallen

Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 13, one RBI, two walks, three strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 4 for 12, three doubles, two RBI, five strikeouts
Joey Bart: 3 for 11, one walk, four strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 10, one double, four RBI, two walks, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 8, one RBI, three strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 3 for 7, one double, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout
Henry Davis: 2 for 6, one RBI
Tommy Pham: 2 for 6, one double, one home run
Nick Gonzales: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 5, one walk
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 4, two strikeouts

Tidbits

David Bednar notched the 100th save of this career on Saturday. He’s one of five Pirates’ relievers to record 100 saves (since 1969).
Oneil Cruz’s game-winning home run was his first since July 8 in Kansas City, but since then, the Pirates’ center fielder is batting .317.
Andrew Heaney has a 10.65 ERA over his last six starts before tossing five-shutout frames against Arizona. He was the winning pitcher for only the second time in his last 11 starts.