The Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to PNC Park on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET first pitch in a regular season matchup that carries genuine late-season weight. Jared Jones gets the ball for Pittsburgh, squaring off against Milwaukee's Logan Henderson in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel between two young arms. With September winding down, every game on the schedule matters, and the Pirates need to show something worth building on in front of their home crowd.
Probable Starters: Jared Jones vs. Logan Henderson
Jared Jones is the story on the Pittsburgh side. The young right-hander has been one of the most closely watched pitchers in the Pirates organization, and PNC Park home starts are moments where he gets to prove himself against legitimate competition. Jones has the kind of arm that generates real excitement — the raw stuff is there, and his performance Wednesday will go a long way toward defining how the fanbase remembers this stretch of the season.
On the other side, Logan Henderson takes the mound for Milwaukee. Henderson is a young pitcher in his own right, and the Brewers have built a reputation for developing pitching. This is a matchup between two organizations that lean heavily on young arms, which should make for an engaging chess match as both offenses try to solve unfamiliar looks.
Keys to Watch for the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Jones's command: How Jones manages his pitch mix and avoids deep counts will be critical. If he can work efficiently through the Milwaukee lineup, the Pirates bullpen gets a break and Pittsburgh stays in the game late.
- Capitalizing against a young starter: Henderson is still developing at the big-league level. Pittsburgh's lineup needs to make him work, get pitch counts up early, and force Milwaukee to lean on its bullpen.
- Home-field energy: PNC Park is one of the best venues in baseball, and a September crowd can create real atmosphere. The Pirates have an opportunity to play loose and aggressive at home.
- Situational hitting: Scoring with runners in scoring position has been a consistent measuring stick for Pittsburgh all season. Wednesday is no different — stranding runners will cost them against a competent Milwaukee club.
Prediction
This game hinges on Jared Jones. If he delivers a quality start — six innings, three runs or fewer — the Pirates have a legitimate path to a win at home. Milwaukee is a well-run organization that does not beat itself, so Pittsburgh cannot count on free passes. Expect a tight, low-scoring game that comes down to late-inning execution. Give the edge to Pittsburgh at home, but only narrowly. Pirates 4, Brewers 3.
Catch the game on SportsNet Pittsburgh on the TV side, or tune in on Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan for radio coverage.
