The Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their three-game interleague series at PNC Park on Sunday, June 23 at 1:35 PM ET, with Texas aiming for a sweep and Pittsburgh desperate to halt a slide that’s seen them lose seven of their last nine. After back-to-back close losses, the Pirates will need a spark to avoid another series defeat at home.
Matchup: Texas Rangers (38–39) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (30–48)
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- First Pitch: 1:35 PM ET
- Broadcast: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, Bally Sports Southwest, MLB.tv
- Weather: Mostly sunny, 84°F, light breeze
Projected Starting Pitchers
Rangers – Jack Leiter (RHP)
- 2025 Stats: 3–3, 4.76 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
- Scouting Report: The former No. 2 overall pick has shown flashes of brilliance but struggles with command. He’s averaging 9.8 K/9 but also 4.2 BB/9. His fastball-slider combo is lethal when he’s ahead in the count.
Pirates – Paul Skenes (RHP)
- 2025 Stats: 4–5, 3.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
- Scouting Report: The Pirates’ ace-in-the-making has been their most consistent starter. Skenes has 92 strikeouts in 76.1 innings and a .203 opponent batting average. He’ll need run support to avoid another tough-luck loss.
Players to Watch
Texas Rangers
- Corey Seager: Batting .288 with 15 HR and 47 RBI; delivered the go-ahead RBI single in Saturday’s 3–2 win.
- Marcus Semien: 7 HR, 30 RBI; his sixth-inning sac fly proved decisive in Game 2.
- Ezequiel Duran: Scored in both games of the series and continues to be a spark plug at the bottom of the order.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz: Leads the team with 13 HR and 30 RBI; hit a sac fly in Game 2 and remains the Pirates’ most dangerous bat.
- Henry Davis: Drove in both of Pittsburgh’s runs on Saturday and nearly tied the game with a deep flyout in the ninth.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: Solid defensively but needs to deliver more at the plate to support the middle of the order.
Tactical Breakdown
- Rangers’ Edge: Texas has won 7 of the last 9 meetings vs Pittsburgh and boasts the AL’s second-best team ERA (3.20). Their bullpen has been lights-out, retiring the final 10 Pirates batters on Saturday.
- Pirates’ Challenge: Pittsburgh has dropped three straight series and is 3–11 in one-run games under interim manager Don Kelly. Their offense has been inconsistent, and defensive miscues have cost them early runs in both games.
Game Odds
Texas Rangers 9
Pittsburgh Pirates – 114
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, June 21, 2025
