Pirates vs Giants Preview: Skenes Shines, Webb Duo Battles

The Pittsburgh Pirates are heading to San Francisco to face the Giants on Sunday, May 10. Pittsburgh comes into this matchup with a solid 22-18 record, while the Giants sit at 15-24 and are looking to bounce back. The Pirates' pitching staff features young superstar Paul Skenes, who is already proving himself as one of baseball's brightest arms. However, Braxton Ashcraft will take the mound for Pittsburgh in this particular game. San Francisco will counter with Landon Roupp on the hill. Both teams know that pitching wins games, especially at Oracle Park where the cool San Francisco breeze can make fastballs dance through the strike zone.

The Giants' lineup features two serious power threats in Rafael Devers and Willy Adames. Devers brings incredible strength to the plate, having smashed about 35 home runs last season while driving in 109 runs across both Boston and San Francisco. Adames, the shortstop, also packs serious punch, launching about 30 home runs in his first season with the Giants while knocking in 87 runs. Although his batting average sits around .225, Adames remains dangerous because of his power potential. Meanwhile, the Pirates have Oneil Cruz, a unique player standing 6-foot-7 with rare athleticism. Cruz combines power hitting with blazing speed, making him a threat in multiple ways on the field.

Both squads face injury challenges heading into Sunday's contest. The Pirates are missing Will Robertson in left field and outfielder Jake Mangum, who is dealing with a strain. Meanwhile, the Giants have several key players sidelined. Pitcher Logan Webb, their most dependable starter, is on the injured list with soreness and won't pitch today. Center fielder Harrison Bader should return soon after recovering from a strain. These absences matter because injured players can't contribute their usual energy and skill on the field. When your star pitcher or a key fielder sits out, the entire team feels the impact.