The Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates face off in Game 2 of their series at PNC Park, with the Brewers holding a 1-0 series lead after an 8-5 victory in the opener. Both teams are looking to gain momentum as they navigate the NL Central standings.
Game Overview
- Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
- Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: FDSNWI, SNP
Team Breakdown
Milwaukee Brewers (25-26, 3rd in NL Central)
- Last Game: 8-5 win vs. Pirates
- Key Players:
- Christian Yelich – Batting .265 with 9 home runs, 13 doubles this season.
- Rhys Hoskins – Hitting .300 with 7 home runs, 27 RBIs, providing consistent power.
- Freddy Peralta (SP) – 5-3, 2.59 ERA, 57 K, the Brewers’ ace looking to dominate.
Pittsburgh Pirates (17-34, 5th in NL Central)
- Last Game: 5-8 loss vs. Brewers
- Key Players:
- Oneil Cruz – Leads the Pirates with 8 home runs, 14 extra-base hits.
- Jared Triolo – Struggling at the plate, hitting 4-for-31 in his last 10 games.
- Paul Skenes (SP) – 3-5, 2.44 ERA, 9 K in last outing, looking to bounce back.
Key Matchups & Storylines
1. Pitching Duel – Peralta vs. Skenes
Both starters have been solid, but Peralta’s consistency gives Milwaukee an edge. Skenes will need to limit walks and keep the Brewers’ power hitters in check.
2. Pirates’ Offensive Struggles
Pittsburgh snapped a 26-game streak of scoring four or fewer runs in Game 1. Can they build on that momentum, or will their offensive woes continue?
3. Brewers’ Road Performance
Milwaukee has struggled on the road (10-16 record), but their recent 4-1 stretch suggests improvement.
4. NL Central Standings Impact
Both teams are looking to climb in the division, with Milwaukee aiming to stay in playoff contention and Pittsburgh hoping to avoid falling further behind.
Prediction & X-Factors
- Likely Outcome: A close, low-scoring battle with pitching dictating the pace.
- X-Factors:
- Pirates’ ability to generate offense – Can Cruz and Triolo step up?
- Peralta’s dominance – If he controls the strike zone, Milwaukee has the edge.
- Skenes’ bounce-back performance – Can he limit Milwaukee’s power hitters?
Game Odds
Milwaukee Brewers 7
Pittsburgh Pirates – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 22, 2025
