Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Complete the Sweep?

Danny Demilio |

Jun 8, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates squeaked out a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday at PNC Park.

Henry Davis hit the go-ahead home run and Isaac Mattson earned his first big-league win with an impressive performance out of the bullpen.

The Pirates (25-40) will try for the series sweep and their first three-game sweep of the season in the series finale against the Phillies (37-27) on Sunday afternoon.

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

Weather

Rain, rain and more rain. If you’re going to the game, bring a poncho and something to keep you occupied.

RHP Paul Skenes (4-6, 2.05 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes continued to show why he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball by throwing 8.0 innings and allowing one run in his last start against the Astros.

The right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts and has a 1.33 ERA (6er/40.2ip) over that stretch. He has a 1.66 ERA (12er/65.0ip) in his last 10 starts.

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year is seventh in baseball in ERA, second in opponent’s batting average (.181) and third in WHIP (0.88).

Skenes faced the Phillies last month in Philadelphia and took the loss despite an 8.0-inning complete game.

LHP Cristopher Sánchez (5-1, 3.15 ERA) Will Start for the Phillies

Sánchez is coming off his first win since early May after holding the Blue Jays to one run in 6.0 innings on Tuesday.

The left-hander has allowed more than three runs in a start once this season and has a 2.96 ERA (18er/54.2p) over his last 10 starts.

The Phillies are 10-2 when Sánchez starts this season and are 16-2 over his last 18 starts dating back to last season.

In four appearances/three starts against the Pirates, Sánchez is 0-2 with a 1.45 ERA.

Phillies Hitters vs. Skenes

Bryson Stott: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Nic Castellanos: 1 for 3
Max Kepler: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
Alec Bohm 0 for 3
Rafael Marchán: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Kyle Schwarber: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Trea Turner: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Sánchez

Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 9, two strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 6, one RBI, three strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 5, one home run, one RBI, three walks, one strikeout
Nick Gonzales: 1 for 4
Jared Triolo: 1 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
Henry Davis: 0 for 3, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

The Pirates are 18-8 at PNC Park against teams from the National League East dating back to the start of last season and are 6-0-2 in those eight series.
The Pirates haven’t won three-straight games since sweeping the Marlins last season from Sep. 9-11.
Al Oliver, Vern Law and Kiki Cuyler comprise the Pirates’ 2025 Hall of Fame class.