Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Yankees

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Yankees (2026-07-21). Bubba Chandler vs Will Warren at Yankee Stadium.

Starters — Bubba Chandler has a 4.77 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 94.1 innings, with 8.11 K/9, 5.25 BB/9, and 0.95 HR/9. His last three starts were mixed: 4.2 innings and 2 earned runs with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks on July 11, 4 innings and 4 earned runs with 0 strikeouts and 4 walks on July 5, and 6.1 innings and 5 earned runs with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks on June 30. The listed trend is up, but the walk rate remains a clear pressure point. Will Warren carries a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 98.1 innings, with 8.79 K/9, 3.02 BB/9, and 1.28 HR/9. His last three starts show some rebound: 5 innings and 1 earned run with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks on July 12, 4 innings and 6 earned runs with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks on July 7, and 5.1 innings and 2 earned runs with 7 strikeouts and no walks on July 1. His trend is also up, supported by better control than Chandler.

Teams — Pittsburgh has been the stronger offensive club by the numbers, posting a .768 OPS, 538 runs, and a .263 team average. The Pirates are 6-4 in their last 10 games. Their pitching staff has a 4.30 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, which suggests more volatility behind Chandler if this turns into a bullpen-driven game. New York has a .739 OPS, 475 runs, and a .237 team average, so the lineup production has been less consistent overall than Pittsburgh’s. The Yankees are also 6-4 over their last 10, but their run prevention profile is notably better, with a 3.42 team ERA and 1.19 WHIP. That gives New York a cleaner staff baseline even if the offense has lagged behind Pittsburgh’s season-long output.