The Pittsburgh Pirates head to South Florida on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET showdown with the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park. Paul Skenes gets the ball for Pittsburgh against Miami's Eury Pérez in what figures to be a compelling pitching matchup between two young arms with legitimate upside. With the second half of the season in full swing, every game carries real weight in the standings, and the Pirates need wins on the road to stay relevant in the NL picture. Catch it on SportsNet Pittsburgh or Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Skenes vs. Pérez

Paul Skenes is the headliner here, and for good reason. The Pirates' young right-hander has been one of the most talked-about arms in baseball since his arrival, and every start he makes carries weight — both for Pittsburgh's rotation and for the franchise's broader trajectory. This is a road test against a Miami club that, while not a powerhouse, puts a lineup on the field capable of making life difficult.

Eury Pérez counters for the Marlins. The young right-hander from the Dominican Republic has shown flashes of genuine frontline potential since coming up with Miami. Pérez features elite stuff and, on his best days, has the kind of command that can neutralize even a disciplined lineup. This is precisely the type of arms race that makes August baseball worth watching.

Miami Marlins Lineup to Watch

The Marlins are sending out a lineup that leans on speed and youth. Xavier Edwards leads off at second base — he's a contact-first hitter who can make things happen on the bases. Otto Lopez slots in at shortstop in the two hole, and Griffin Conine gets the three spot at first base.

• Heriberto Hernández hits cleanup in left field and represents Miami's primary power threat in this lineup.
• Jakob Marsee starts in center field, batting fifth.
• Javier Sanoja handles third base from the six spot.
• Owen Caissie draws the DH role, batting seventh.
• Joe Mack catches and bats eighth — a name Pirates fans may recognize from the prospect pipeline.
• Esteury Ruiz rounds out the order in right field, batting ninth, and brings genuine speed to the bottom of the lineup.

Keys to the Game for Pittsburgh

Skenes Must Limit Damage in the Middle of the Order

Hernández in the cleanup spot is the clear danger zone. Skenes will need to keep the ball out of the zone when Hernández has runners in front of him. Getting Edwards and Lopez out quickly at the top of the order limits Miami's ability to manufacture runs before Hernández sees a pitch.

Neutralize Miami's Speed

Ruiz at the bottom of the order is deceptively dangerous. He has the kind of wheels that can turn a walk into a stolen base and a single into a first-to-third situation in a heartbeat. The Pirates' battery needs to keep him honest and limit opportunities for Miami to run wild on the bases.

Pittsburgh Offense Needs to Tag Pérez Early

Pérez can be dominant, but early counts matter. If the Pirates can work the count and make him throw strikes before he settles in, there's a path to getting into the Miami bullpen. Letting Pérez cruise through three or four innings with minimal pitches is a recipe for a long night.

Prediction

This one comes down to who brings their best stuff to loanDepot park on Tuesday night. Skenes gives the Pirates a genuine edge in any start, and if he's locked in from pitch one, Pittsburgh has the horses to steal a win in Miami. Pérez is no easy out, though, and a sharp performance from him could make things uncomfortable for the Pirates offense. Expect a tight, low-scoring game — the kind that gets decided in the seventh or eighth inning. Edge: Pirates, 3-2.