Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres: Paul Skenes vs. Michael King

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 19: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on August 19, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres, August 25, 2026, 9:40 p.m. ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a chance to win their series against the San Diego Padres in the second game of the three-game set at Petco Park.

The Pirates won 3-2 in 12 innings late last night, and they used seven pitchers. This means the Pirates would love to have Paul Skenes go pretty deep in this start. Skenes has been up and down all season long, but he has not pitched more than five innings in any of his last four starts. In his most recent appearance against the Detroit Tigers on August 19, Skenes pitched 4.1 innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs. The Pirates went on to win 4-3, but Skenes did not factor into the decision.

Skenes won in his last start against the Padres back on April 7, when he pitched 6.1 innings, giving up two hits and one earned run in a 7-1 victory.

The Pirates are going with Michael King, who is making his 27th start of the season. In his last appearance on August 19 against the New York Mets, King pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four hits and two runs in a 4-2 loss at Citi Field.

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Pitching Matchup: Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.95 ERA) vs. Michael King (8-9, 3.38 ERA)

BD community, this is your gameday thread for today’s game. Chime off in the comments section below.