The Pittsburgh Pirates head into their March 29, 2025, road matchup against the Miami Marlins with renewed optimism and a growing belief that their rebuilding phase may finally be turning the corner, following a 76-86 finish in 2024 that showed notable progress, especially among their young core. Much of the excitement surrounding the team centers on 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, who is set to make the Opening Day start and is widely viewed as the new face of the franchise after a dominant debut season in which he posted a 3.08 ERA and struck out 202 batters over 164.2 innings. Skenes brings an electric fastball, a developing slider, and exceptional mound presence that the Pirates believe will anchor their rotation for years to come. Supporting him in the rotation are Mitch Keller and Jared Jones, both of whom offer strong strikeout potential and give the Pirates a foundation of young, controllable pitching that is essential for long-term competitiveness. Offensively, Pittsburgh is led by switch-hitting center fielder Bryan Reynolds, a two-time All-Star who provides consistency, power, and leadership in the heart of the order after posting a .279 average with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs in 2024. Alongside Reynolds is Oneil Cruz, the towering 6’7” shortstop whose rare blend of speed, arm strength, and raw power makes him one of the most exciting players in baseball, though staying healthy remains a top priority after injury setbacks in previous seasons.

Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes continues to shine defensively with Gold Glove-caliber play and has improved his offensive production with a more aggressive approach at the plate, finishing last year with 15 home runs and a .275 average. The Pirates have also seen encouraging signs from younger bats like Henry Davis, their former No. 1 overall pick, who is transitioning into a hybrid role as both catcher and outfielder, and Endy Rodríguez, who offers another high-upside bat with positional flexibility. The bullpen, anchored by closer David Bednar, gives the Pirates a reliable option in late-game situations, with Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski serving as valuable setup men. Manager Derek Shelton has emphasized aggressive base running, better situational hitting, and tighter defensive fundamentals during spring training, recognizing that small margins can often define close games for a team still working toward consistency. Pittsburgh dominated Miami during the 2024 season, winning all seven head-to-head matchups, and they’ll look to continue that trend against a Marlins team that is also in the midst of a rebuild. While expectations are tempered in a competitive National League Central, the Pirates’ front office has signaled that the time for forward progress is now, and with a healthy mix of young stars, veteran leaders, and elite pitching potential, they have the tools to surprise in 2025. A strong road start in Miami, especially behind their rising ace Skenes, would provide an ideal launching point and reinforce that Pittsburgh is no longer just building for the future—but ready to compete in the present.