Pirates vs Cardinals Preview: Skenes, Liberatore Lead Tuesday Showdown

When Paul Skenes pitches, the Pirates know they have a real shot to win. This young ace is already one of baseball's best pitchers, giving Pittsburgh a superstar they can rely on every time he takes the mound. However, today Mitch Keller will start for the Pirates instead. Keller is a veteran pitcher who provides stability and consistency for the rotation. The Cardinals are coming off a tough loss to Kansas City, so they'll be hungry for a win at home. Meanwhile, Matthew Liberatore takes the ball for St. Louis. Young pitchers like Liberatore carry big responsibility for the Cardinals' future success.

Oneil Cruz stands six feet seven inches tall, and he uses his rare size and athleticism to dominate on both offense and defense. The Pirates' shortstop combines power hitting with speed, making him dangerous in multiple ways. Cruz has already produced multiple 20-home-run seasons while leading the league in stolen bases. His versatility allows him to play shortstop and outfield, giving Pittsburgh flexibility in how they use him. When you watch Cruz play, you see a player who can impact games with long home runs and stolen bases. Few players in baseball can do both as well as he can.

The St. Louis Cardinals are hunting for their first win after dropping games recently. Their record sits at 27 wins and 19 losses, but they need to get back on track quickly. The team relies on young pitchers to develop and perform consistently, rather than depending on one dominant ace. Alec Burleson remains one of their most reliable hitters, consistently making contact and driving in runs. However, shortstop Masyn Winn is dealing with left knee discomfort and may not play today. Winn is normally one of the Cardinals' best defensive players, known for his elite arm strength and Gold Glove-level fielding abilities.