Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
Watch Live: FDSDET, ATTP, MLB.TV
Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak with a gritty 2–1 win over the Rangers on Sunday Night Baseball, while Pittsburgh limps into the series after being swept by the White Sox and outscored 27–7 over the weekend.
This matchup features two elite strikeout pitchers in Jack Flaherty and Paul Skenes, setting the stage for a potential low-scoring duel. Detroit leads the season series 2–1 and looks to build on its status as the first team in MLB to reach 60 wins.
Starting Pitchers – July 21, 2025
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | K/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | Jack Flaherty (RHP) | 5–9 | 4.65 | 1.24 | 11.1 |
| Pirates | Paul Skenes (RHP) | 4–8 | 2.01 | 0.93 | 9.7 |
- Jack Flaherty owns a dominant 10–1 career record vs. Pittsburgh with a 2.75 ERA and 100 strikeouts. He’s allowed just two earned runs in each of his last two starts.
- Paul Skenes, the NL Cy Young front-runner, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 20 starts this season. Despite his brilliance, he’s received minimal run support and has gone five or fewer innings in four straight outings.
Players to Watch
Detroit Tigers
- Riley Greene: .281 AVG, 25 HR, 79 RBI; ranks 8th in MLB in HR and 5th in RBI
- Gleyber Torres: .275 AVG, 9 HR, 53 walks; consistent OBP threat
- Spencer Torkelson: 21 HR, 20 doubles; power bat with .233 AVG
- Zach McKinstry: .279 AVG, 8 HR, 8 triples; versatile contributor
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz: 16 HR, 30 SB; team leader in power and speed
- Andrew McCutchen: .255 AVG; veteran presence with two-game hit streak
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa: .276 AVG, 12 doubles, 2 triples; 4-for-7 lifetime vs. Flaherty
Team Comparison – Key Stats
| Category | Tigers | Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Avg | .250 | .229 |
| OBP | .322 | .300 |
| Slugging % | .419 | .339 |
| Team ERA | 3.66 | 3.89 |
| Last 10 Games | 4–6 | 1–9 |
| Home Runs | 125 (9th MLB) | 92 (28th MLB) |
Detroit holds the edge in nearly every offensive category, while Pittsburgh’s pitching remains respectable thanks to Skenes. However, the Pirates have scored three or fewer runs in eight of their last 10 games.
Game Odds
Detroit Tigers 7
Pittsburgh Pirates – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Sunday, July 20, 2025
