The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up a regular season road date at Comerica Park on Saturday, September 26, 2026, when Kirby Yates takes the hill against Justin Verlander in a 1:10 PM ET first pitch. This is the kind of late-September matchup that tests a roster's depth and resolve — the Pirates are on the road, facing a Detroit Tigers lineup that is built from the ground up with young talent and legitimate experience at the top of the rotation. Catch the game on SportsNet Pittsburgh or locally on 100.1 FM/KDKA-AM 1020.

Pitching Matchup: Kirby Yates vs. Justin Verlander

The headliner here is the pitching matchup, and it is a legitimate one. Justin Verlander, even at this stage of his career, commands respect every time he takes a mound. He has been one of the most decorated starters in the history of the sport, and anytime the Pirates step in against him, they need a plan. Pittsburgh counters with Kirby Yates, who has carved out his role on this staff. Both pitchers' current season lines are not available at time of publication, so this one will need to be evaluated on execution rather than numbers going in.

Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup

The Tigers are sending out a lineup with genuine intrigue. Max Clark leads off in center field — a name that has drawn attention since the moment Detroit made him a top pick — followed by Hao-Yu Lee at second base. Kevin McGonigle slots in at third, with Eduardo Valencia handling the designated hitter role in the cleanup spot. Riley Greene bats fifth in left field. Dillon Dingler catches, Spencer Torkelson takes first base at seventh, Zach McKinstry patrols right field, and Javier Báez closes out the order at shortstop. Pittsburgh's lineup had not been released at time of publication.

Keys to Watch for the Pirates

• Command the strike zone early: Against a pitcher with Verlander's experience and arsenal, the Pirates cannot afford to fall behind in counts. Working deep counts and forcing him to work will be critical to manufacturing any offensive opportunities.
• Handle the young Tigers core: Clark, Lee, and McGonigle represent real threats at the top of Detroit's order. Yates will need to be sharp against this group before facing Valencia and Greene in run-scoring situations.
• Bullpen management: A 1:10 PM Saturday road game in late September demands the Pirates manage their bullpen carefully. Every arm counts as the regular season winds toward its final days.
• Baez as a wildcard: Batting ninth, Javier Báez can flip a lineup over in a hurry if he gets going. The Pirates cannot afford to let him become a table-setter for the top of Detroit's order in big moments.

Prediction

This is a tough draw for Pittsburgh. Verlander at Comerica Park in a day game is a difficult equation at any point in a season. The Pirates will need Yates to match him inning for inning early and keep the game close enough for the offense to find an opening. If Pittsburgh can stay within striking distance through five or six innings, this game is winnable. But if Detroit gets ahead and Verlander settles in, it figures to be a long afternoon for the visitors. Edge: Tigers, 4–2.