Pirates Reveal Starting Pitchers vs. Braves

His runs and earned runs allowed were both the most for him in a start and he's posted a 5.36 ERA over his past nine outings, a massive change from his regular efficiency.

Skenes has faced the Braves just once in his career, which came back as a rookie on June 29, 2024 at Truist Park, where he allowed a solo home run and posted nine strikeouts over six innings in a 2-1 loss in extra innings.

This marks the first time Skenes has faced the Braves at PNC Park, where he's been much better at than on the road, posting a 3.02 ERA over 10 starts.

Pittsburgh hasn't won any of Skenes' past nine starts, with some poor defense and lack of offensive production, both of which have to improve along with Skenes himself.

He just earned his third All-Star nod in three years and still is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but a good showing vs. the Braves would help confirm that, rather than keep putting it into question.

Jared Jones Can Build Off Solid Outing

It's been a little more than one month since Jones made his official return to the Pirates starting rotation after his lengthy injury rehab from internal brace surgery.

Jones had a solid start against the Phillies, giving up one run over four innings, with two hits and two walks, while tying his season-high of six strikeouts, which included him striking out the side in the first inning.

He is still on an innings and pitches restriction, but his showing was a big one, as it gave the Pirates a chance to go on and win 6-1 in the series finale to split the four-game series.

Jones isn't pitching as effectively as he'd hoped for, with a 5.28 ERA over 29.0 innings pitched, 31 strikeouts to 11 walks, a .254 batting average allowed (BAA) and a 1.38 WHIP.

The good thing about Jones is that his stuff is there, maitaining a great velocity on his fastball and getting good movement on his offspeed pitches, but he's also left a few too many pitches over the plate and not executed with two strikes at times.

Jones will take on the Braves for the first time in his career and he could finally start building some consistency in 2026.

Mitch Keller Trying to Find Form

Keller struggled in his most recent start against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 3, giving up three home runs and five earned runs over his first three innings.

He would go six innings, but the Nationals ended up taking the series opener 9-5, using that early offensive onslaught to give the Pirates a tough loss.

Keller tied his career-high with those three home runs allowed and it stopped him from continuing his solid performances he had prior to that start vs. the Nationals.

He posted back-to-back quality starts (six innings pitched, three runs allowed) at PNC Park, in the 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on June 23 and the 9-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on June 28. He also gave up just one earned run over 5.1 innings in the 6-5 win over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on June 16.

Keller had previously posted an 8.70 ERA over his last six starts and that start against the Nationals was reminiscent of those outings.

One of those starts was against the Braves at Truist Park on June 5, where he gave up six runs over 4.2 innings in the 6-1 defeat.

The Pirates need Keller as their veteran who pitches efficiently, takes on innings and gives the team the best chance to win games, without taxing the bullpen.

Keller providing that gives the Pirates a big boost in their postseason hopes and him having a great start vs. the Braves would do exactly that.