Boston Red Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, August 16, 2026, 1:35 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are finishing a three-game set as they take on the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park.
Paul Skenes is getting the ball for the Pirates in this matchup. Skenes has lost three of his last four starts, including his last appearance against the Miami Marlins on August 11. He pitched only five innings, giving up five hits and one earned run in a 2-0 loss on the road.
Skenes dealt with a span of nearly two months, from May 17 to July 1, before rattling off three straight victories in the middle
of July. He has dropped his last four games, and the Pirates have needed him to get back on track. Perhaps this is the game to do it.
The Red Sox are going with Patrick Sandoval, who is making his seventh start of the season. In his last appearance on August 11 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Sandoval had his longest outing of the year, with six innings, giving up eight hits and two runs in a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Center. It was Sandoval’s first loss of the year, and he’s using this start as a chance to get that sour taste out of his mouth.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Patrick Sandoval (1-1, 3.30 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.88 ERA)
BD community, chime off in the comments section below.
