The Pittsburgh Pirates head to San Diego for a Tuesday night showdown at Petco Park, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET. Paul Skenes gets the ball for Pittsburgh against Padres right-hander Michael King. This is a marquee pitching matchup — two of the better arms in the National League squaring off in a regular season game that carries real weight for both clubs. Pirates fans can catch the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh or tune in on Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan.

Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Late August baseball means every game in the standings matters, and the Pirates are taking one of their best assets — Paul Skenes — into a tough road environment. Petco Park is one of the more pitcher-friendly venues in the National League, which could work in Pittsburgh's favor if Skenes is on his game. The Padres counter with Michael King, who has established himself as a reliable starter capable of keeping lineups off-balance.

Pitching Matchup: Skenes vs. King

Paul Skenes is the story for the Pirates, full stop. The right-hander has been Pittsburgh's most prominent starting pitcher, and outings like this one — on the road against a quality opponent — are where reputations get made or tested. His ability to miss bats and generate weak contact will be critical against a Padres lineup that can do damage in the middle of the order.

Michael King presents a genuine challenge for Pittsburgh's offense. King has demonstrated the ability to work deep into games and limits hard contact. The Pirates will need to be patient at the plate, work counts, and look for opportunities to string together baserunners rather than waiting on the three-run homer.

Keys to Watch for the Pirates

• Skenes's command early: Petco Park rewards pitchers who stay ahead in the count. If Skenes establishes his fastball and gets ahead of Padres hitters early, he controls the game. If he falls behind, San Diego's lineup is disciplined enough to make him pay.
• Patience against King: King is at his best when hitters chase. The Pirates need to grind at-bats, elevate pitch counts, and look to get into the Padres bullpen before the late innings.
• Bullpen management: Road games on the West Coast at Petco carry a different rhythm. If Skenes exits before the seventh, the Pirates' bullpen depth will be tested. Keeping the deficit manageable — or protecting a lead — falls on arms that need to be sharp.
• Timely hitting: Scoring in pitcher-friendly environments comes at a premium. Pittsburgh cannot afford to strand runners in scoring position against a pitcher like King. One or two clutch hits could decide this one.

Prediction

This game hinges almost entirely on what Skenes brings to the mound. If he's locked in, the Pirates have a real shot to steal a game in San Diego. King is good, but Skenes at his best is a handful for any lineup. Call it a low-scoring affair that goes down to the late innings. Pittsburgh 3, San Diego 2 — with Skenes keeping the Pirates in it long enough for the offense to scratch out just enough runs in a tight road win.