Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes, Bucs Look to End Losing Streak

Danny Demilio |

Jul 11, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped their sixth-straight game when they fell 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

The Pirates erased a three-run deficit only to fall on Salvador Perez’s second home run of the game in the eighth inning.

After a much-needed day off, the Pirates (38-56) will look to stop their slide as the begin a series with the Minnesota Twins (45-48) at Target Field.

First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

There’s a chance for some thunderstorms around game time. Temperatures in the low 80s with winds NE at 4-5 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (4-7, 1.94 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

Skenes continues to keep dominating but still can’t get rewarded with a win thanks to the Pirates’ offensive struggles.

The right-hander last pitched against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday and struck out a season-high 10 batters in five-shutout innings, but the Pirates lost 1-0.

Since May 12, no starting pitcher in baseball has a lower ERA than Skenes’ 1.34. Over that same span, the potential Cy Young has a 1-3 record.

This will be the first time the Twins see Skenes.

RHP Joe Ryan (8-4, 2.76 ERA) Will Start For the Twins

Ryan last pitched against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday and allowed two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in six innings.

The right-hander has worked at least six innings in each of his last three starts and has a 1.42 ERA during that stretch.

Ryan ranks third among MLB starters with a 0.89 WHIP and is fourth with a .193 opponent batting average. He also ranks ninth among American League starters in ERA.

Ryan faced the Pirates one time in his career and allowed two runs with eight strikeouts in seven innings.

Twins Hitters vs. Skenes

Harrison Bader: 0 for 3, three strikeouts
Ty France: 1 for 2, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Ryan

Adam Frazier: 1 for 11
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 5, two home runs, five RBI, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one double
Ke’Bryan Hayes: o for 3, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI, one walk

Tidbits

Tommy Pham is batting .444 (20 for 45) with four doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI in his last 12 games since June 22. He’s raised his batting average from .194 to .250 in the process.
Paul Skenes is seeking his first win since May 28 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s 1-5 despite a 1.72 ERA since the start of May.
The Pirates are one loss shy of tying their season-high seven-game losing streak. The Bucs lost seven in a row from May 1-7.