MLB2026

Pittsburgh Pirates

Across three reviewed wins, Pittsburgh's run prevention featured two 1-0 results and a 5-2 result; scoreless relief was documented in two of those games.

7 reviewed games through Sep 18, 2026. This profile summarizes Upon Review's reviewed sample, not every game the team played.

What we keep seeing

Relief work closed key situations

Strong

Across three reviewed games, relief logged three hitless innings, 3.2 scoreless innings, and stranded two inherited runners in scoring position.

vs Kansas City Royals · Sep 18, 2026vs Los Angeles Angels · Sep 6, 2026vs San Diego Padres · Aug 26, 2026

Solo homers decided two 1-0 wins

Strong

In two reviewed 1-0 victories, Oneil Cruz's ninth-inning solo homer and Henry Davis's third-inning solo homer each supplied the only run.

vs Los Angeles Angels · Sep 6, 2026vs San Diego Padres · Aug 26, 2026

Starters supplied notable prevention

Strong

Two scoreless Paul Skenes starts of 6.0 and 5.1 innings, plus Bubba Chandler's six innings with two earned runs allowed, were recorded across three reviewed games.

vs Chicago White Sox · Sep 8, 2026vs Los Angeles Angels · Sep 6, 2026vs San Diego Padres · Aug 26, 2026

Strengths

Scoreless relief outcomes

Strong

The bullpen produced three hitless innings in one reviewed win and 3.2 scoreless innings in another, while also stranding two inherited runners in scoring position in a separate reviewed game.

vs Kansas City Royals · Sep 18, 2026vs Los Angeles Angels · Sep 6, 2026vs San Diego Padres · Aug 26, 2026

Documented starting-pitching prevention

Strong

Skenes delivered scoreless starts in two reviewed games, and Chandler allowed two earned runs over six innings in another reviewed game.

vs Chicago White Sox · Sep 8, 2026vs Los Angeles Angels · Sep 6, 2026vs San Diego Padres · Aug 26, 2026

Weaknesses

Splitter-driven chase constraint

Thin

In the reviewed Cubs game, splitter usage generated out-of-zone chases and swinging strikes against Pittsburgh hitters.

Opponent plan

Thin

Deny

We do not have enough reviewed evidence to suggest this yet.

Attack

Use splitters to seek out-of-zone chases and swinging strikes.

Avoid

We do not have enough reviewed evidence to suggest this yet.

Reviewed games

Mechanisms we've seen