First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 PM ET, with the Pirates aiming for a series sweep after back-to-back wins, including an 8–5 victory on Tuesday. The Tigers, despite holding the best record in the American League, have dropped eight of their last nine games, while Pittsburgh looks to build on its recent home success.
Matchup Overview
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Time: 12:35 PM ET
- Broadcast: FDSNDT (Tigers), SNP (Pirates), MLB Network
- Streaming: MLB.TV, FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply)
Starting Pitchers
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | Troy Melton (RHP) | MLB Debut | — | — | — |
| Pirates | Bailey Falter (LHP) | 6–5 | 4.00 | 1.22 | 61 |
- Troy Melton, Detroit’s No. 10 prospect, makes his MLB debut after posting a 2.72 ERA in Triple-A Toledo and 3.23 ERA in Double-A Erie. He struck out 101 batters in 75.1 innings across both levels and brings a high-velocity fastball and sharp cutter to the mound.
- Bailey Falter has allowed 7 HR over his last 3 starts and owns a 6.28 ERA in July. He gave up 3 ER in 5 IP vs. Detroit earlier this season.
Players to Watch
Detroit Tigers
- Gleyber Torres: .286 AVG, 9 HR, 45 RBI – hitting .368 over last 5 games with 3 multi-hit outings.
- Spencer Torkelson: .239 AVG, 21 HR, 59 RBI – ranks 15th in MLB in HR; batting .333 over last 5 games.
- Riley Greene: 25 HR, 79 RBI – team leader in both categories.
- Zach McKinstry: .273 AVG, 8 HR, 8 triples – versatile bat with speed and gap power.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz: 16 HR – ranks 47th in MLB; aggressive baserunner and power threat.
- Bryan Reynolds: 50 RBI – leads team; 2 RBI Tuesday.
- Andrew McCutchen: .256 AVG, 8 HR – veteran presence with 15 doubles.
- Tommy Pham: 11-for-35 over last 10 games – 2 RBI Tuesday.
Team Stats & Trends
| Category | Tigers | Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .249 (13th MLB) | .230 (28th MLB) |
| Slugging Percentage | .417 (7th) | .338 (30th) |
| Home Runs | 125 (10th) | 66 (30th) |
| Runs Scored | 485 (6th) | 336 (30th) |
| Team ERA | 3.82 | 3.69 |
| WHIP | 1.27 | 1.22 |
- Detroit has hit the over in 50 of 101 games this season.
- Pittsburgh has won 9 of its last 12 home games and is 28–17 when recording 8+ hits.
- The season series is tied 2–2, with Pittsburgh winning the first two games of this set.
Final Takeaway
The Tigers vs. Pirates matchup features a compelling storyline: Detroit’s top pitching prospect Troy Melton making his debut against a Pirates team that’s suddenly surging at home. With Gleyber Torres, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene leading a potent Tigers lineup, and Bailey Falter fighting inconsistency, Detroit has the edge—but Pittsburgh’s recent momentum and opportunistic offense could make this a tight contest.
Game Odds
Detroit Tigers – 154
Pittsburgh Pirates 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, July 22, 2025
