The Pittsburgh Pirates head into their April 2, 2025, road matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays looking to establish early-season momentum and shake off a few signs of inconsistency. After opening the season with flashes of promise, the Pirates have struggled to find rhythm both at the plate and on the mound. As they take on a sharp and efficient Rays squad at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Pirates will need standout performances from their young core to keep pace. The game also marks another opportunity for their top prospect and Opening Day starter Paul Skenes to showcase his highly anticipated big-league talent. Skenes has had a solid if unspectacular start to his first MLB season. Through his first couple of outings, he’s posted a 3.38 ERA, showing the same electric fastball-slider combo that made him a top draft pick. The challenge has been command in high-leverage spots and learning how to work through veteran lineups that feast on mistakes. His ability to limit walks and keep hitters guessing with off-speed pitches will be critical against a Rays offense that thrives on situational hitting and small-ball tactics. With the Pirates’ bullpen still sorting out roles and depth, the team will be counting on Skenes to get into the sixth or seventh inning to avoid overexposure of the relievers. Offensively, the Pirates continue to ride the potential of shortstop Oneil Cruz and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Cruz, now fully healthy, has shown flashes of the raw power and athleticism that makes him one of the most exciting players in the league.

His long levers and high exit velocities make him a threat at any moment, but swing-and-miss issues still plague his consistency. Hayes remains a steady, disciplined bat with excellent defensive value, but the Pirates need more production in the middle of the order to compete in games like this. Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski round out a lineup with pop but limited on-base ability, which has made it difficult for the team to string together multi-run innings. One of Pittsburgh’s biggest question marks continues to be bullpen consistency. Closer David Bednar remains an elite arm when healthy, but the bridge to him—from middle relief through setup innings—has been rocky. Dauri Moreta and Colin Holderman have shown flashes of reliability but are still prone to command lapses and inherited runner issues. If the Pirates want to steal a win in Tampa, limiting bullpen exposure or playing from ahead will be crucial. Defensively, the Pirates have improved from last season, particularly on the infield. Hayes is a Gold Glove-caliber defender, and Cruz’s range is undeniable, though errant throws remain a concern. Behind the plate, Henry Davis has taken over most of the catching duties and continues to develop his game-calling and blocking skills. Despite their early inconsistency, the Pirates have enough raw talent and young energy to surprise teams. If Skenes can deliver a quality start and the offense capitalizes on scoring chances, Pittsburgh can push Tampa Bay. While they’re the underdog in this matchup, games like this offer the young Pirates a proving ground—and a chance to turn raw potential into results.