Pirates Face Brewers with Skenes and Harrison on Mound

The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers on August 5, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET in the third game of a four-game series at American Family Field. This matchup features two pitchers looking to regain their form, with the national audience tuning in on ESPN.

Why it matters: This game is a key moment for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning. The Pirates are looking to improve their record, currently at 57-58, against the first-place Brewers, who boast a strong 70-43 record.

• The Pirates are attempting to claw back to .500 after a loss to the Brewers on August 4.
• The Brewers are favored to win, with betting odds indicating their strong position in the series.

Driving the news: Paul Skenes, the Pirates' ace, will take the mound aiming to turn around his recent struggles. He enters the game with a 9-9 record and a 3.90 ERA, having faced difficulties in his last two outings.

• Skenes allowed 10 runs over 9 1/3 innings in his last two starts, including a disappointing performance against the Cincinnati Reds on July 31.
• In that game, Skenes pitched four innings, giving up five runs and seven hits, contributing to an 8-7 loss for the Pirates.

State of play: This matchup marks Skenes' third start against the Brewers this season. He previously achieved a dominant performance on April 24, where he pitched seven scoreless innings in a 6-0 victory.

• Skenes also secured a win against the Brewers in their last meeting at PNC Park, allowing only two earned runs in a 14-5 victory.
• Historically, Skenes holds a 3-2 record and a 2.97 ERA in six games against Milwaukee.

The big picture: Kyle Harrison, starting for the Brewers, is making his return after being sidelined since July 8 due to left forearm tightness. He comes into this game with an impressive 8-2 record and a 3.01 ERA.

• In his last major league appearance, Harrison allowed three runs on four hits in four innings before going on the injured list.
• Harrison showed promise in a rehab start on July 30, throwing 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball with only one hit allowed.

What they're saying: Pirates manager Don Kelly addressed Skenes’ recent struggles, emphasizing the importance of finishing off batters effectively. "Struggling to finish guys. Getting ahead and then finishing is the key to pitching," Kelly said. Harrison expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, "The forearm felt great. I felt nothing" after his rehab outing.

• Both pitchers are under pressure to perform, with Skenes needing to stabilize his performance and Harrison aiming to prove his fitness and effectiveness.

By the numbers: Skenes has seen a notable increase in earned runs allowed this season compared to previous years. In 2026, he has allowed 54 earned runs in 124.2 innings, surpassing the 41 earned runs he gave up in 187.2 innings during the entirety of 2025.

• Skenes has a 4.81 ERA in 10 road starts this season, indicating challenges away from home.
• Meanwhile, Harrison has been effective against the Pirates historically, allowing no runs and only six hits in 12 innings across two starts.

What's next: The outcome of this game could significantly impact both teams' trajectories as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Pirates need a win to stay competitive in the National League playoff race, especially with the Brewers leading the division.