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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Homers again Wednesday
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:44 PM
Cruz went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: The center fielder got things rolling for the Pirates when he hooked an Andrew Abbott curveball 407 feet down the right-field line in the first inning. Cruz has three homers in six games to begin the season, and all three have come in the last two days. He's batting .304 (7-for-23) with six RBI and seven runs, though he's still looking for his first steal of 2026. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Misses out on save again
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:41 PM
Soto struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: For the second straight day, Soto was warming up to handle a save situation in the bottom of the ninth, only for Pittsburgh's offense to churn out insurance runs in the top of the frame and erase the save chance. The veteran southpaw has a 0.00 ERA through 4.1 innings to begin the season with an 8:2 K:BB, and he currently appears to be the favorite for save chances ahead of Dennis Santana. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Bounces back with first win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:37 PM
Skenes (1-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-3 victory over the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: After a stunningly short Opening Day start, Skenes rebounded nicely Wednesday, tossing 51 of 77 pitches for strikes and only allowing a runner to get past first base in the fourth inning. It was an early hook for the right-hander despite the efficient performance, but the Pirates are likely just being cautious with his early season workload. The 23-year-old still has a 9.53 ERA and 6:4 K:BB through 5.2 innings, but those numbers should continue to improve quickly. Skenes is set to take the mound next at home early next week against the Padres. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Absent from Wednesday's lineup
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 9:45 AM
O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Cincinnati.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting O'Hearn was in the lineup the first two times the Pirates faced a lefty this season, but he'll take a seat in Wednesday's series finale as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the hill. Jake Mangum will cover right field and Spencer Horwitz will handle first base for the Pirates. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 9:41 AM
Lowe is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati.
Analysis: Lowe had started each of the first five games of the season -- including two versus left-handers -- but the lefty bat will take a seat Wednesday as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the bump. Nick Gonzales will cover second base for the Pirates. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Works ninth in Tuesday's win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:25 AM
Soto allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds. He struck out one.
Analysis: The veteran lefty was getting ready to handle a save situation when Oneil Cruz added some insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth. Soto has a 0.00 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 3.1 innings to begin the season, while presumed closer Dennis Santana -- who worked a scoreless eighth against the bottom of the Reds' order to record his first hold of the year -- also has a 0.00 ERA in four innings, albeit with a less dominant 2:2 K:BB. Neither pitcher has a save yet in 2026, but the scales seem to be tipping in Soto's favor as the top high-leverage option in the Pirates' bullpen. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Goes yard twice in win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:20 AM
Cruz went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a third run scored in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: The 27-year-old center fielder crushed a Brandon Williamson cutter an estimated 444 feet to lead off the fourth inning, before adding a two-run blast in the ninth off Pierce Johnson. They were Cruz's first homers and RBI of the season, and while he's batting .278 through five games, he's also struck out nine times in his first 19 plate appearances of 2026. |
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Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Allows no hits in no-decision
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:14 AM
Chandler didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds, giving up an unearned run over 4.1 no-hit innings. He walked six and struck out six.
Analysis: While the right-hander managed to find strikes with only 43 of his 81 pitches, Chandler was routinely hitting triple digits with his fastball and Cincy batters couldn't get good wood on the ball when he was in the strike zone. Until he tightens up his control, however, Chandler will be tough to rely upon in fantasy lineups. The 23-year-old lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Padres. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Gets start against lefty
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:54 PM
Cruz will start in center field and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: It's the first start for Cruz against a left-handed pitcher since Aug. 2 of last season, as he was out of the lineup the final 12 times the Pirates faced a lefty last year and the first time they went up against a southpaw in 2026. The left-handed-hitting Cruz is a career .174/.249/.315 hitter against southpaws. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Not starting Tuesday's game
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:49 PM
Davis is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Reds.
Analysis: Davis has started all three games versus right-handers but will yield to Joey Bart at catcher for the second time in two games against lefties. The former No. 1 overall pick is 2-for-11 with a 2:3 BB:K in the early going this season for Pittsburgh. |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Grabbing seat Tuesday
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:43 PM
Triolo is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Cincinnati.
Analysis: Triolo batted leadoff the other time the Pirates faced a lefty, but he will begin this one on the bench. Nick Gonzales is at shortstop and Nick Yorke is handling third base for Pittsburgh against southpaw Brandon Williamson. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Six strong innings Monday
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 10:05 PM
Ashcraft (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: The right-hander was saddled with a tough-luck loss, logging a quality start in his season debut. The four walks allowed matched a career high for Ashcraft, but it was still a fine showing overall at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Ashcraft's next start is scheduled to come over the weekend at home versus the Orioles, and he'll be trying to reach the 90-pitch mark after tossing 87 pitches Monday. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Healthy at Triple-A Indianapolis
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 5:32 PM
Simon (shoulder) has reached base six times and stolen a base in his first two games with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Analysis: Simon was slow-played during spring training after having left shoulder surgery last October, but he avoided the minor-league injured list. Slated to turn 26 in April, Simon is not on the 40-man roster but could get a look at some point if the Pirates are in need of a utility player. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Strikes out eight in no-decision
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 5:44 PM
Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Analysis: Mlodzinski threw 55 of 85 pitches for strikes and generated just eight whiffs while mostly keeping the Mets in check. The 27-year-old posted a career-high 99 innings last season working as both a starter and reliever, so he likely won't go deep into games often early in 2026. He's slated for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Homers in win
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 5:19 PM
Lowe went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets.
Analysis: Lowe reached base four times, highlighted by a solo shot that put the Pirates up 2-1 in the third inning. The 31-year-old has now homered three times in as many games to open the campaign, reaching base in seven of his 14 plate appearances. He should see near-everyday run in the heart of the order and has topped the 20-homer mark in each of the four seasons in which he's played over 100 games. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Settling in as primary first baseman
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 11:52 AM
Horwitz will start at first base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Mets.
Analysis: Heading into spring training, Horwitz's role was somewhat muddled following the offseason additions of Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O'Hearn and Brandon Lowe, but Horwitz looks to have settled into a regular role at first base. The left-handed-hitting Horwitz has occupied the position in each of the Pirates' first two games against right-handed starters, though O'Hearn spelled him at first base Saturday, when the Mets sent lefty David Peterson to the hill. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Receiving breather Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 11:50 AM
Ozuna is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
Analysis: Ozuna will receive the afternoon off after he started in both of the Pirates' first two games of the season and went 1-for-9 with a walk. With Ozuna on the bench, Bryan Reynolds will cede left field to Jake Mangum and step into Ozuna's usual spot at designated hitter. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Goes six scoreless in no-decision
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 9:33 PM
Keller did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-2 extra-innings loss to the Mets, allowing three hits and no walks with three strikeouts over six scoreless innings.
Analysis: Keller was extremely efficient, needing just 77 pitches to blank the Mets over six innings. It was an encouraging outing for the 29-year-old, who has logged 175-plus frames in each of his past three seasons. He lines up for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Taking seat Saturday
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 11:34 AM
Cruz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.
Analysis: A couple of defensive miscues from Cruz allowed the Mets to take an early 5-2 lead in the first inning of Thursday's contest, so the Pirates will keep the 27-year-old on the bench to begin Saturday's game while Jake Mangum patrols center field. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Out of Saturday's lineup
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 11:32 AM
Davis isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.
Analysis: Davis went 1-for-4 with a double and drove in a run during Pittsburgh's Opening Day loss, and he'll now get a chance to rest Saturday. Joey Bart will catch for Mitch Keller instead while batting eighth. |
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