The Pittsburgh Pirates enter Sunday’s series finale at Citizens Bank Park with a 15–31 record and riding a four-game losing streak, desperate to avoid a sweep at the hands of the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies and salvage something from a rough road stretch that has exposed the club’s lingering offensive inconsistencies, bullpen volatility, and lack of defensive sharpness. Despite flashes of promise earlier in the month, the Pirates have failed to generate sustained momentum, dropping the first two games of this series 8–4 and 5–2, managing just six total runs while allowing 13 and struggling to contain Philadelphia’s relentless top-of-the-order attack. Sunday offers a glimmer of hope with the presence of rookie phenom Paul Skenes on the mound, the one major bright spot in an otherwise frustrating season for Pittsburgh; Skenes has dazzled in his initial MLB starts with a 3–4 record and a 2.63 ERA, showing elite-level stuff including a fastball that touches triple digits, a sharp-breaking slider, and an advanced feel for sequencing that gives him a chance to dominate even against playoff-caliber lineups like the Phillies. The rookie will be tasked with containing a lineup that’s clicking behind Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, both of whom have reached base consistently throughout the series, and will need to go deep into the game to relieve pressure on a Pirates bullpen that has been inconsistent and at times unreliable in high-leverage situations.

Offensively, Pittsburgh continues to search for consistency, with Andrew McCutchen providing veteran leadership and Ke’Bryan Hayes delivering strong defense and flashes of contact ability, but the team as a whole ranks among the league’s worst in runs scored and slugging, often failing to capitalize on the few scoring opportunities they create. The lack of production from the bottom half of the lineup has made it difficult for the Pirates to mount rallies or provide cushion for their starters, and it places even more weight on the shoulders of Skenes to hold the opposition to minimal damage. Defensively, the Pirates have also struggled, committing untimely errors and miscommunications that have extended innings and allowed opponents to flip momentum, further compounding the margin for error. Manager Don Kelly will need a complete, mistake-free performance from his team—starting with sharp infield execution, efficient bullpen innings, and a few clutch hits in key moments—to pull off a series-ending win against a Phillies team playing with confidence and cohesion. For Pittsburgh, the goal is not only to avoid a sweep but to find signs of progress within a difficult season, and there’s no better tone-setter than Skenes, whose presence on the mound continues to be a reason for optimism amid the losses. If the bats can offer even modest support and the defense remains focused behind their ace, the Pirates have a chance to walk away with a win and a small but meaningful shift in momentum as they prepare for the next leg of their road trip.