Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers

Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers (2026-08-05). Paul Skenes vs Kyle Harrison at American Family Field.

Starters — Paul Skenes carries a 3.90 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 124.2 innings with elite swing-and-miss numbers at 11.26 K/9. His control has remained solid at 2.31 BB/9, and he has allowed 0.94 HR/9. The recent form is mixed: over his last three starts he has gone 4.0 innings with 5 earned runs, 5.1 innings with 5 earned runs, and 7.0 innings with 1 earned run. The strikeout ability is still obvious, but the trend is up after two rough outings in his last three. Kyle Harrison has been sharper on the surface with a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 83.2 innings. He has posted 10.86 K/9 with 2.15 BB/9, while allowing 1.08 HR/9. His last three starts were 4.0 innings and 3 earned runs, 2.2 innings and 3 earned runs, and 5.0 innings and 2 earned runs. The trend is also up, though his recent workload has been lighter and less stable than his season line suggests.

Teams — Pittsburgh brings the stronger offensive profile by the numbers with a .748 OPS, .257 average, and 584 runs scored. The concern for bettors is the broader pitching support behind Skenes, as the Pirates own a 4.30 team ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Their recent form is modest at 4-6 over the last 10. Milwaukee’s offense is a bit lighter at a .735 OPS, .254 average, and 562 runs, but the Brewers have been the cleaner overall run-prevention team with a 3.47 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. They also enter in better recent form at 6-4 over the last 10, which supports their steadier team profile even if the raw offensive edge leans slightly toward Pittsburgh.