The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Miami to face the Marlins on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at loanDepot park. Braxton Ashcraft gets the ball for Pittsburgh against Miami's Tyler Phillips in what shapes up as a pitching matchup between two young arms with something to prove. For a Pirates club grinding through the back half of the 2026 season, road wins in games like this one are the kind of résumé-builders that matter when standings get tight.
Pitching Matchup: Ashcraft vs. Phillips
Braxton Ashcraft draws the start for the Bucs. The right-hander out of the Pirates system has been a name Pittsburgh fans have watched develop with genuine interest. Ashcraft has the size and the stuff to be a factor in a big-league rotation — Thursday gives him another chance to demonstrate he belongs there on a consistent basis.
Tyler Phillips takes the hill for Miami. Like Ashcraft, Phillips is a young arm working to carve out his place in the majors. These are exactly the kinds of arms-versus-arms matchups that can turn on execution, sequencing, and which pitcher blinks first when traffic builds on the bases.
Keys to Watch for the Pirates
- Ashcraft's command: Against a Marlins lineup that will look to be patient and work counts, Ashcraft needs to establish his fastball early and keep the walk total manageable. First-pitch strike percentage will be worth tracking from the opening inning.
- Generating offense against a young starter: Phillips is the kind of pitcher who can get through lineups cleanly when his stuff is working. Pittsburgh's hitters will need to stay disciplined, make him work, and look to do damage when he leaves pitches in the zone.
- Bullpen management: Afternoon heat in Miami can wear on starters. How far Pittsburgh's coaching staff rides Ashcraft — and who they turn to out of the 'pen if he runs into trouble — could be the difference in a close game.
- Situational hitting: Road wins rarely come via the big inning alone. The Pirates need to execute with runners in scoring position and avoid leaving baserunners stranded against a Marlins club that will fight to keep it close at home.
Broadcast Information
Pirates fans can catch the game on SportsNet Pittsburgh or listen on 100.1 FM / KDKA-AM 1020. Miami-area coverage is available on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig and Garcia, 560AM WQAM, and in Spanish on WAQI 710.
Prediction
This one figures to be a low-scoring afternoon in South Florida. When two developing starters meet, games tend to be decided by the team that capitalizes on the first mistake. Ashcraft has shown flashes of being the better pitcher on days when he's on — Thursday needs to be one of those days. Pittsburgh takes this one in a tight game, 3-2, as the offense scratches together just enough runs to give Ashcraft a win he can build on.
