Pirates vs Cardinals Preview: Skenes Shines Again

Paul Skenes is Pittsburgh's ace, and when he pitches, the Pirates have a real shot at winning. In his last start, Skenes dominated the Cardinals, leading Pittsburgh to a crushing 7-0 victory. His talent is rare—few teams have a pitcher this dominant. However, Braxton Ashcraft will start Thursday instead. Ashcraft takes over when Skenes rests, so Pittsburgh's offense needs to step up. The Pirates sit at 25-24, needing strong pitching to climb back into contention. Veterans like Mitch Keller provide steady support, helping the rotation stay strong throughout the season.

The Cardinals don't have a superstar ace like Pittsburgh's Skenes. Instead, they're counting on young arms to prove themselves. Dustin May leads their rotation, with Matthew Liberatore also carrying big responsibility. These pitchers must develop consistently to help St. Louis compete. The Cardinals sit at 28-20, one game ahead in the standings. Their bullpen features Riley O'Brien, who gets first chances to close games. St. Louis knows pitching won't be spectacular, but it needs to be steady and trustworthy in important moments ahead.

Oneil Cruz powers Pittsburgh with rare size and athleticism. Standing 6-foot-7, he hits for power and steals bases at an elite level. The Cardinals counter with sharp defenders like Masyn Winn, whose Gold Glove-winning arm makes plays from deep shortstop. Alec Burleson provides St. Louis with reliable hitting and durability in the lineup. Both teams are healthy enough for competition, though some players nurse injuries. Pittsburgh's Joey Bart and Ryan O'Hearn are out, while St. Louis misses Ramon Urias. These absences matter, but each team still features exciting talent ready to compete at Busch Stadium.