Kansas City Royals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, September 18, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting off a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals this weekend inside PNC Park
The Royals will hand the ball off to 31-year-old right-hander Randy Dobnak, who is in his first season with the Royals after spending the first part of his career with the Minnesota Twins. Dobnak is making his 12th start of the season and is coming off a loss in his last start on September 12 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He pitched well, going 5.2 innings and giving up
4 hits and 3 earned runs in a 5-1 loss.
On the flip side, the Pirates are giving Paul Skenes the start for the 31st time this season. Skenes has had an up-and-down year, but he had a strong showing in his last appearance against the Chicago Cubs on September 12. He went 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs at Wrigley Field, but was not part of the decision. He left the game with a 3-2 lead, but the bullpen couldn’t help him out, as Gregory Soto surrendered a pair of runs in the 8th inning to give the Cubs a 4-3 victory.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Randy Dobnak (3-4, 2.73 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (10-11, 3.78 ERA)
BD community, this is your game thread against the Kansas City Royals. Chime off in the comments section below.
