The Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers square off in a split doubleheader on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Comerica Park in Detroit. After Wednesday’s game was postponed due to severe weather, both clubs will now play two games in one day, with Game 1 at 1:10 PM ET and Game 2 at 5:40 PM ET. The Tigers lead the series 1–0 after a 7–3 win on Tuesday and look to keep pace atop the AL Central, while the Pirates aim to snap a four-game losing streak and avoid a sweep.
Game Details
| Game | Time (ET) | Pitching Matchup | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | 1:10 PM | Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. Andrew Heaney (PIT) | Bally Sports Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB.tv |
| Game 2 | 5:40 PM | TBD (DET) vs. Paul Skenes (PIT) | Bally Sports Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB.tv |
Game 1: Skubal vs. Heaney
- Tarik Skubal (7–2, 1.99 ERA): The reigning AL Cy Young winner has been lights out, especially at home, where he’s 5–0 with a 1.72 ERA. He’s allowed just 1 run over his last 30.2 innings and boasts a 0.81 WHIP.
- Andrew Heaney (3–5, 3.33 ERA): The veteran lefty has been solid in June, walking zero batters in his last three starts. He’s gone 6+ innings in back-to-back outings but owns a 9.19 ERA in three career starts vs. Detroit.
Edge: Tigers. Skubal’s dominance and Detroit’s home-field advantage make them strong favorites in the opener.
Game 2: Skenes vs. TBD
- Paul Skenes (4–6, 1.78 ERA): Despite elite numbers, Skenes has been plagued by poor run support. He’s allowed just 1 earned run in his last four starts and leads the NL with a 0.85 WHIP.
- Tigers Starter TBD: Likely to be Keider Montero (3–1, 4.24 ERA), who last pitched five innings of two-run ball vs. Cincinnati. He debuted against Skenes in 2024, allowing four runs in 4.1 innings.
Edge: Pirates. If Skenes gets even modest run support, Pittsburgh has the upper hand in the nightcap.
Players to Watch
- Javier Báez (Tigers): Hit two home runs in Tuesday’s win, celebrating his 10th MLB anniversary in style.
- Spencer Torkelson (Tigers): Leads the team with 16 HR and 47 RBI.
- Oneil Cruz (Pirates): 13 HR and 30 RBI, but struggling with consistency.
- Bryan Reynolds (Pirates): 8 HR and 39 RBI, a key bat in the middle of the order.
This Pirates vs. Tigers doubleheader offers a compelling contrast: elite pitching vs. inconsistent offenses. Expect Skubal to shine in Game 1, while Skenes looks to dominate Game 2. With both teams at opposite ends of their divisions, Thursday’s twin bill could shape momentum heading into the weekend.
