6-23-2025 – By Drew Cagle – @_dcagle on X
I’m back on for an NL Central preview, and apparently so are the Buccos’ bats. After a resounding 8-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday at PNC Park, the team hits the road to do battle with the wild-card Milwaukee Brewers.
Pittsburgh is looking for a reversal of fortunes after losing their last three series to Texas, Detroit, and the Chicago Cubs. On the other hand, the Brewers have won 22 of their last 32 games. That’s the best mark in all of baseball during that time.
Their hot stretch including an impressive sweep against the Minnesota Twins this past weekend. Milwaukee went into Target Field and outscored the home team 35-14, putting up at least 9 runs in each game.
The two division rivals will meet for the first time this season inside American Family Field. When the Pirates hosted the Brewers in late May, the teams split a 4-game series. Adam Frazier scoring on a walk-off wild pitch was the highlight of the series for the Black and Gold.
6/23
Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft – 11.2 IP, 1-0, 10 K/6 BB, 1.54 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Brewers: RHP Chad Patrick – 79.2 IP, 3-7, 76 K/26 BB, 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
6/24
Pirates: LHP Andrew Heaney – 82.1 IP, 3-6, 61 K/27 BB, 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
Brewers: RHP Freddy Peralta – 88.0 IP, 7-4, 90 K/34 BB, 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP
6/25
Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes – 102.0 IP, 4-6, 106 K/27 BB, 1.85 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
Brewers: RHP Jacob Misiorowski – 11.0 IP, 2-0, 11 K/5 BB, 1.64 ERA, 0.55 WHIP
Pirates: Spencer Horwitz has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games, but he broke out big-time on Sunday against the Rangers. He went 3-for-4 at the plate, swatting two doubles and two RBIs. Since his insertion into the lineup in mid-May, Horwitz has offered Pittsburgh a solid bat for the middle of the lineup.
Brewers: To be candid, you could list several players here. Milwaukee’s been swinging a hot bat up and down the lineup, but I’d say Sal Frelick is the guy to fear most right now. The 25-year-old corner outfielder hit .500 (7-for-14) against the Twins this past weekend, and owns a respectable .751 OPS for the season. Of note, he is 0-for-6 lifetime against Sunday starter Paul Skenes.
Pirates: Andrew Heaney looks for a bounce-back start after getting roughed up during the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader in Detroit. He conceded 7 runs on 8 hits during just 4 innings, compiling a season-low game score of 17. In 4 career starts versus Milwaukee, he’s surrendered 5 home runs and a .275 opponent batting average.
Brewers: Also on the bump, Chad Patrick has been struggling. It’s been feast or famine over the right-hander’s last couple of starts, striking out 8 and 5 batters, but allowing 5 and 4 runs, respectively. Patrick has lost his last 3 starts to the Padres, Braves, and Cubs. We’ll see how he fares against a different-caliber offense like Pittsburgh.
Pirates: Ryan Borucki, Endy Rodriguez, Johan Oviedo, Tim Mayza
Borucki was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday due to a lower back injury.
Brewers: Garrett Mitchell, Brandon Woodruff, Blake Perkins, Nestor Cortes, Robert Gasser
Mitchell, who was rehabbing an oblique injury, went down with a left shoulder injury during a AAA game on Friday. He was on the 10-day IL.
Notes
- Last Thursday, baseball fans infamously missed out on a battle between two of the best pitchers in baseball, Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. This time around, we’re set for a blockbuster matchup on Wednesday afternoon between two youngsters. Skenes vs Misiorowski will be must-watch TV at 2:10 p.m.
- Milwaukee owns a division-best 13 wins against the NL Central, while the Pirates have the fewest with just 8.
- Braxton Ashcraft, Monday’s Pirates starter, has pitched 6 shutout innings on the road this season, allowing just 2 hits in that span.
- Pittsburgh needs to snap their cold spell. If they can split the first 2 games of the series, I’d feel comfortable handing the ball to Skenes on Wednesday looking for a series win.
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