Here’s a look at next week’s Pirates schedule:
Home Run Derby, All-Star Game, All-Star Break
8 p.m. Monday: T-Mobile Home Run Derby (ESPN)
8 p.m. Tuesday: 95th All-Star Game (ESPN)
Wednesday: All-Star break
Thursday: All-Star break
• Pittsburgh Pirates fans have a stake in the Home Run Derby, with Oneil Cruz set to partake, as well as the All-Star Game, as Paul Skenes has been named to the NL squad for the second straight year. Cruz (16 home runs) joins Atlanta’s Matt Olson (17), Seattle’s Cal Raleigh (36), Washington’s James Wood (23), Minnesota’s Byron Buxton (20) and Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero (21) in the event at Trusit Park in Atlanta. Pirates assistant coach and translator Stephen Morales, who routinely assists the club’s Latin players with media interviews, will serve as Cruz’s pitcher. Cruz is set to become the seventh Pirate to participate in the Home Run Derby, joining Josh Bell (2019), Pedro Alvarez (2013), Andrew McCutchen (2012), Jason Bay (2005), Barry Bonds (1992) and Bobby Bonilla (1990). Skenes returns to the All-Star Game after starting last year’s contest as a rookie, becoming the first to do so since Hideo Nomo in 1995. The Dodgers’ Dave Roberts is serving as skipper for the NL and has yet to announce his starter. Skenes is again a candidate, as his 1.94 ERA heading into Friday’s start vs. the Twins was lowest in baseball.
Vs. White Sox
6:40 p.m. Friday (SN PIT)
6:40 p.m. Saturday (SN PIT)
1:35 p.m. Sunday (SN PIT)
• After this year’s All-Star festivities, the Pirates return home for a nine-game stretch at PNC Park, which ties the longest homestand on the year (June 3-11). The Chicago White Sox will be the Pirates’ opening opponent, and they are set to arrive in Pittsburgh with the second-worst record in baseball, behind only the hapless Colorado Rockies. White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, once floated as a potential Pirates trade target, is largely struggling at the plate in 2025, slashing .185/.272/.311 (compared to a lifetime .257/.310/.454 slash line) with eight homers and 32 RBIs. As a club, Chicago’s .222 batting average ranks last in MLB, lower than the Pirates’ .230 (tied-27th).
