Pittsburgh Pirates Dominate Brewers Again: Skenes vs. Misiorowski Showdown After W3 Streak

Pittsburgh Pirates crush Brewers 14-5 in blowout win, now riding a three-game streak as NL Central underdogs

The Pittsburgh Pirates won 14-5 against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 12, snapping a 10-game losing streak to the Brewers this season and moving to 50-47, eighth in the NL. Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ veteran starter, will now face Jacob Misiorowski—one of baseball’s best young arms—in a high-stakes NL Central showdown at PNC Park.

Why this matters for Pittsburgh Pirates: Skenes’ bounce-back vs. Misiorowski’s dominance

Skenes, who ended a nine-game winless skid with a 12-4 victory over Atlanta on July 7, is coming off his best outing since May 12. His last meeting with the Brewers on April 24 saw him pitch seven shutout innings in a 6-0 road win. But Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers’ ace, has been untouchable—10 wins and a 1.62 ERA in the first half, including a dominant 7-inning, three-hit performance against St. Louis on July 7.

The pitching matchup: Skenes’ resurgence vs. Misiorowski’s Cy Young race

This is Skenes’ second start against Misiorowski this season, but the dynamic has flipped. Skenes (6-8, 3.62 ERA) needs a strong outing to keep the Pirates’ playoff hopes alive, while Misiorowski (10-4, 1.62 ERA) is on pace to challenge for the NL’s top pitcher award. The Brewers’ lefty has allowed just three earned runs in his last two starts, while Skenes has cut his ERA in half since May.

What’s next for Pittsburgh Pirates: Can Skenes keep the momentum?

With the Pirates 8th in the NL and just two games above .500, every win counts. Skenes’ ability to limit Misiorowski—who has struck out 120 batters in 11 starts—will determine whether Pittsburgh extends its winning streak or falls back into the division race’s basement. The game airs on KDKA AM/FM and Peacock, with all eyes on PNC Park’s bullpen to close out the first-half finale.

Key stats to watch: Pirates’ offense vs. Brewers’ defense

The Pirates’ 14-5 blowout was fueled by a five-RBI performance from their lineup, but the real test comes against Misiorowski. His 1.62 ERA suggests he’ll make every pitch count, while Skenes’ six-inning, eight-hit outing against Atlanta shows he’s not out of the race yet. The Pirates’ bullpen, led by reliever [Last Name], will need to hold serve if Skenes falters early.