Megan: Five-run second inning. A two-run homer by Henry Davis. The Pittsburgh Pirates just survived a scare against the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers, winning 7-4 on Thursday night to avoid a sweep. But here is the real question for today: can this team handle the Kansas City Royals when they arrive at PNC Park tonight? We are breaking down the pitching matchups, the injury list that looks like a phone book, and whether Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe have enough left in the tank for a three-game series. This is the Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Megan.
Steve: And I’m Steve. It’s September 18th, 2026. The Pirates sit at 76-77, third in the NL Central. They beat the Brewers yesterday, which was huge for morale, but now they turn around quickly to face a Royals team that is also fighting for relevance at 67-86. Five days ago, we talked about how depleted this rotation is. Today, we look at who actually gets the ball tonight and if the bullpen has any gas left.
Megan: So, what are we looking at in this preview episode? First, we’re going deep on the starting pitcher probables for tonight’s game against Kansas City. Second, we’re talking about the offensive keys—specifically how Henry Davis and Konnor Griffin can keep that momentum going against a different kind of defense. And finally, we’re tackling the elephant in the room: the injury report. With Mitch Keller, Brandon Woodruff, and others on the 60-day IL, who is actually stepping up to finish the season? Let’s get into it.
Steve: Right. And remember, five days ago, Megan and I both predicted the Brewers would take the series 2-1. Well, the Pirates stole that last game, so credit where it’s due. But beating the division leader is one thing; beating the Royals is another beast entirely. Kansas City plays a fundamentally sound brand of baseball, and they aren’t afraid to grind out at-bats. If the Pirates want to win tonight, they can’t rely on one big inning every time. They need consistency.
Megan: Let’s start with the most immediate concern: who is starting tonight? When you have a roster this thin, the daily decision becomes critical. We know Mitch Keller is out for the season on the 60-day IL. Bryse Wilson, Grant Anderson, Braxton Ashcraft, and Kirby Yates are all on the 15-day IL. Even Esmerlyn Valdez is out for ten days. So, who does manager Derek Shelton turn to?
Steve: It’s going to be a coin flip between Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler, and Khristian Curtis. Skenes is obviously the ace, if he’s healthy. But given the workload earlier in the week, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lean on Jared Jones or even Bubba Chandler to eat innings. The Royals’ lineup isn’t full of power hitters, but they are disciplined. They will try to work counts and make the starter throw pitches.
Megan: Exactly. And that’s the danger. If you pull your starter early because the bullpen is overworked, you’re handing the game to Kansas City. Did you see the ABS challenge system tracker headlines from earlier this week? Umpire calls have been a topic, but let’s focus on the players. Who do you think starts tonight, Steve?
Steve: I’m going to say Jared Jones. He’s got the stuff to miss bats, and if the Pirates want to avoid using their heavy arms like Camilo Doval or Gregory Soto too early in the series, Jones is the guy to go through the order three times. But watch his pitch count. If he gets past 95 pitches, it’s going to be a long night for the relievers.
Megan: Okay, so let’s assume Jones goes six strong. That leaves the rest of the relief corps to hold the line. We have Luke Weaver, Wilber Dotel, Lake Bachar, Carmen Mlodzinski, Mason Montgomery, Yohan Ramirez, Brandon Eisert, and Camilo Doval. That is a lot of names, but only a few can be trusted in high-leverage spots.
Steve: Gregory Soto is the closer. He’s been reliable. But the middle relief is where this series will be won or lost. The Royals love to bunt and move runners over. If the Pirates’ infielders—Nick Gonzales, Jacob Gonzalez, Konnor Griffin—aren’t sharp defensively, those small balls add up. We saw that against Milwaukee. The Brewers tried to squeeze runs out of every inning, and the Pirates held them off. Can they do it again?
Megan: That defensive positioning is key. And speaking of defense, let’s talk offense. Yesterday, Konnor Griffin hit a two-run single to key a five-run second inning. Henry Davis followed up with a two-run homer. That was the difference. Against the Royals, who don’t have the same elite strikeout stuff as some teams, the Pirates need to put the ball in play. What are your thoughts on the batting order?
Steve: Oneil Cruz needs to be aggressive. He’s in center field, but his bat is the engine. If he’s sitting on fastballs early in the count, he can drive this lineup. Spencer Horwitz at first base provides stability, and Bryan Reynolds in left field needs to get on base. OBP matters more than ever right now because you can’t afford to have empty innings. The Royals will pitch around the big names sometimes, so having depth in the middle of the order is crucial.
Megan: Spencer Horwitz has been steady. And don’t forget Ryan O’Hearn in right field. He’s got the experience to handle pressure situations. But Steve, what happens if the starter struggles? Because with so many pitchers on the IL, the margin for error is zero. If Jones goes four innings, the bullpen has to pick up the slack.
Steve: Then you pray for favorable matchups. Platoon splits will dictate everything. The Royals have some left-handed power, so if there’s a lefty starter for Kansas City, expect Gregor Soto or Camilo Doval to be ready. If it’s a right-hander, you might see Wilber Dotel or Luke Weaver come in. It’s a juggling act, Megan. You’re playing musical chairs with your best arms.
Megan: It really is. And that brings us to our support appeal. If you found value in today’s breakdown of the pitching matchups and injury impacts, consider supporting the show. Your contributions help keep these daily previews free and accessible to all Pirates fans. Check the link in the episode description to chip in. Thank you for keeping the network running.
Steve: Thanks for listening. Now, let’s dig deeper into the injuries. We mentioned the 60-day IL guys—Keller, Woodruff, Quinn Priester—but the 15-day IL list is equally concerning. Braxton Ashcraft, Bryse Wilson, Grant Anderson, Kirby Yates. That’s half your staff. How does this affect the strategy for the next three games?
Megan: It forces the manager to use the younger arms. Guys like Antwone Kelly and Yohan Ramirez might see more action than they planned. It’s a development opportunity for them, but also a risk. You don’t want to burn out a rookie arm in September if you’re trying to secure a playoff spot or at least improve your standing.
Steve: Exactly. And Garrett Mitchell is listed as day-to-day. If he’s available, he adds depth to the outfield. But without him, Billy Cook and Jake Mangum are likely getting more reps. They are contact hitters. Against a Royals team that might not strike out as much, those types of players are valuable. They can manufacture runs.
Megan: Manufacturing runs was exactly what happened yesterday. That five-run second inning wasn’t just power; it was execution. Konnor Griffin singled, drove in two, and then Henry Davis added the homer. It was a statement. Do you think the Royals can adjust? They’ve seen that lineup before.
Steve: They will adjust. Pitchers will try to attack the zone harder. If they leave it over the plate, Cruz and Davis will punish it. The key for Pittsburgh is staying patient. Don’t chase sliders down and away. Wait for the mistake. The Royals’ pitching isn’t overpowering, but it’s smart. You have to earn your hits.
Megan: Patience. That’s the word. And Nick Gonzales at third base—he’s been solid defensively. If he can get some RBI opportunities, that helps. But Steve, what about the catcher? Henry Davis had that homer. Rafael Flores Jr. is the backup. Does the catching situation matter against Kansas City?
Steve: Catching is always important for framing pitches and calling games. Davis has shown he can handle the staff. If he’s behind the plate, he keeps the pitchers calm. Especially with the bullpen being stretched thin, having a catcher who can manage emotions is vital. If the starters struggle, the catchers need to keep the relievers focused.
Megan: Framing and composure. Two things that can’t be taught overnight. Davis has earned his spot. And Ronny Simon at second base—he’s versatile. If Jacob Gonzalez needs a break, Simon can slide in. Versatility is key when you’re dealing with injuries. It allows the manager to shuffle pieces without losing quality.
Steve: Absolutely. The Pirates have good depth in the infield, even if the outfield is thinner. Oneil Cruz is the star, but having options like Billy Cook and Jake Mangum gives Shelton flexibility. If a player is fatigued, he can make a change. That’s something the Royals might struggle with if they don’t have that same depth.
Megan: Fatigue is real. Playing nine games in twelve days takes a toll. Especially when you’re missing your top two starters. The physical recovery aspect is huge. Hydration, sleep, nutrition—it all matters now. Are you seeing signs of fatigue in the players?
Steve: Maybe in the legs. Speed kills on the bases. If Oneil Cruz or Konnor Griffin are slowing down, it affects the whole game. But mentally, they seem locked in. They won the game against the Brewers. That wins builds confidence. Confidence carries you through tight games.
Megan: Confidence is everything. So, let’s wrap this up with the keys to the series. What does Pittsburgh need to do to win these next three games against Kansas City? Give me your bold prediction, Steve.
Steve: Keys to the series: Control the strike zone. Don’t give away free bases. Use the bullpen strategically—save Soto and Doval for the ninth, unless absolutely necessary. And offensively, load the bases. One run isn’t enough against a competent Royals team. You need multi-run innings. My prediction? The Pirates win two of three. Maybe split the series, but take the finale.
Megan: Two of three. I like that. I think they’ll win tonight, thanks to that offensive surge we saw yesterday. But Kansas City will fight back. It’s going to be close. I predict a Pirates win tonight, a Royals win tomorrow, and a Pirates win in the finale. Momentum is on Pittsburgh’s side after that Brewers series.
Steve: Momentum is fragile, Megan. But yeah, I agree. The Pirates have the talent to compete. It’s just about managing the injuries and trusting the young arms. If Skenes can stay healthy, this team goes far. Until then, we ride the Jones/Chandler combo.
Megan: Jones and Chandler. Got it. Alright, listeners, that’s our preview. The Pirates host the Royals tonight at PNC Park. Tip-off is at 6:40 PM Eastern. Tune in to listen to the game, and join us tomorrow for a recap. We’ll see how Jared Jones and the bullpen handled the pressure.
Steve: Remember, check the link in the episode description if you enjoyed today’s analysis. Your support keeps us going. Thanks for tuning in to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Megan: Go Bucs! See you tomorrow!