Skenes finally showed he might do that in his last start vs. the San Diego Padres<\/a> at Petco Park on Aug. 25, throwing six scoreless innings and posting four strikeouts, while allowing just three hits and no walks. <\/p>\n Aug 25, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n It was his first scoreless start in more than three months, and he also didn’t walk a batter either, both encouraging marks for Skenes.<\/p>\n Skenes got his velocity up, induced weak contact and got ahead with first-pitch strikes, making for an efficient, quick outing.<\/p>\n The Pirates ace had struggled massively<\/a> before this start, with a 3-9 record in 17 starts and a 5.06 ERA, as he had issues with velocity and command that he didn’t have in his first two seasons.<\/p>\n Skenes has a great chance to continue this momentum against a weak Giants lineup and finish 2026 off strong.<\/p>\n Chandler Aims for Another Strong Start vs. Giants<\/p>\n Chandler is in the final month of his first full season in the Pirates’ starting rotation, with many learning moments throughout.<\/p>\n The Pirates rookie dealt with command issues<\/a> and poor starts early on, but has come along strongly in the second half and is becoming the pitcher people expected from him when he was a top prospect.<\/p>\n Aug 26, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Chandler has a 3-1 record in seven starts post-All-Star break, a 2.95 ERA over 36.2 innings pitched, 32 strikeouts to 13 walks, a .211 BAA and a 1.12 WHIP.<\/p>\n He had a strong outing against the Padres on Aug. 26, allowing one earned run over 5.2 innings, but taking the loss in the 3-0 shutout.<\/p>\n There is still much Chandler needs to improve upon this season, but he’s showing that growth between starts and learning quickly what it takes to excel as a major league pitcher.<\/p>\n Have Pirates Figured Out Their Best Bullpen Approach?<\/p>\n The Pirates will go with the bullpen game for the series finale vs. the Giants, something they’ve done since starting pitcher Mitch Keller went down with a season-ending injury.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh originally went with Carmen Mlodzinski for three starts, but after his struggles, they decided Lake Bachar<\/a> was the better option.<\/p>\n Aug 8, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Lake Bachar (71) pitches against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Bachar has done better in his three starts, allowing two runs over 7.1 innings pitched and giving the Pirates a good beginning to these games.<\/p>\n Mlodzinski finally found success<\/a>, coming out of the bullpen vs. the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 29 and throwing 3.1 innings.<\/p>\n This included coming into a bases-loaded situation and escaping unscathed in the third inning, while also allowing one run after the Pirates committed three errors in the fifth inning.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh ended up winning 6-2 and had six different pitchers come through to secure the victory.<\/p>\n If Bachar and Mlodzinski can keep suceeding in these bulk roles, it will be big for the Pirates executing in these bullpen games for the rest of 2026. <\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m1dgwxrspqrbyefmf4.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m1dkmrhwq7mf36pyfq.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m1dq8dnvytne0tv8t0.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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