The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 25, 2025 with a record of 32-48 and a strong desire to find some rhythm on the road after what has been a difficult first half of the season, especially when it comes to generating consistent offensive production. The Pirates have spent most of the year hovering near the bottom of the National League Central, mostly due to their struggles at the plate, where they rank near the bottom of the league with a team batting average hovering around .225 and a lack of timely hitting that has left them unable to give their talented pitching staff the kind of run support that could lead to more competitive results. Even with promising contributions from veteran outfielder Bryan Reynolds and the occasional spark from Andrew McCutchen, the offense has failed to string together consistent at-bats or generate sustained scoring opportunities across the depth of their lineup. On the pitching side, however, Pittsburgh has had some bright spots, most notably rookie sensation Paul Skenes, who has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young arms in the game with a 1.85 ERA and an impressive strikeout rate that suggests he could become the cornerstone of their rotation for years to come. Skenes and other capable arms have kept the Pirates competitive in many games despite a lack of run support, and their team ERA of 3.85 — while not elite — reflects a club that can keep games within reach if they can just put a few more runs on the board.

The Pirates have also shown some signs of fight recently, covering the run line in three of their last five games, which speaks to their ability to hang around and put pressure on opponents, especially early. Away from PNC Park, though, they’ve been more vulnerable, posting an 11-27 record on the road that underscores the challenges they face when stepping into hostile environments. Despite these struggles, the Pirates will look to jump on a Brewers team that can sometimes give up early runs and hope to leverage their strong arms to keep the game close into the late innings, knowing that one big swing from one of their better hitters could be enough to change the outcome. Building momentum with a disciplined plate approach and making the most of their scoring chances will be the key for Pittsburgh as they aim to compete in this game and perhaps gain some much-needed confidence that can carry into future series. The road to relevance may still be long for this club, but games like this offer a chance to grow together and learn how to navigate the kind of high-leverage situations that will define the Pirates’ future as they continue to build around their promising core and strive for better days ahead.