Pirates and Giants meet to decide series winner
San Francisco Giants (24-26, fourth in the NL West) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (23-27, fourth in the NL Central)
Pittsburgh; Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Mason Black (0-1, 7.71 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, eight strikeouts); Pirates: Paul Skenes (1-0, 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 18 strikeouts)
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants play on Thursday with the winner claiming the three-game series.
Pittsburgh is 23-27 overall and 10-13 in home games. The Pirates are 16-2 in games when they scored five or more runs.
San Francisco is 9-16 on the road and 24-26 overall. The Giants are 10th in the NL with 45 total home runs, averaging 0.9 per game.
The teams play Thursday for the sixth time this season. The Giants lead the season series 3-2.
TOP PERFORMERS: Oneil Cruz leads the Pirates with seven home runs while slugging .433. Bryan Reynolds is 13-for-45 with three doubles, two home runs and nine RBI over the last 10 games.
LaMonte Wade Jr has five doubles and two home runs for the Giants. Matt Chapman is 15-for-37 with six doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pirates: 5-5, .239 batting average, 4.20 ERA, outscored by four runs
Giants: 7-3, .280 batting average, 3.97 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs
INJURIES: Pirates: Yasmani Grandal: day-to-day (groin), Ke'Bryan Hayes: 10-Day IL (back), Jason Delay: 60-Day IL (knee), Marco Gonzales: 15-Day IL (forearm), Ryan Borucki: 15-Day IL (left triceps inflammation), Dauri Moreta: 60-Day IL (elbow), Endy Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Giants: Jung Hoo Lee: 60-Day IL (labrum), Keaton Winn: 15-Day IL (forearm), Tom Murphy: 60-Day IL (head), Michael Conforto: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Austin Slater: 7-Day IL (concussion), Nick Ahmed: 10-Day IL (wrist), Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Ethan Small: 60-Day IL (oblique), Austin Warren: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tristan Beck: 60-Day IL (arm), Robbie Ray: 60-Day IL (elbow)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
World Baseball Classic Preview: Team Breakdowns, Top Players, Predictions
Dominican Republic's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: 'Plátano Power' Is Back
2026 World Baseball Classic Broadcast Schedule: How To Watch Every Game on FOX
How to Watch 2026 World Baseball Classic: Streaming, Teams, Dates
A-Rod, Big Papi, Jeter Headline FOX Sports' 2026 World Baseball Classic Coverage
Mexico's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Big Bats Can Make A Deep Run
Puerto Rico's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Edwin Diaz Leads Bullpen
10 fastest pitches in MLB History: Regular season and playoff records
Venezuela’s Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Star Power From Top To Bottom
World Baseball Classic Preview: Team Breakdowns, Top Players, Predictions
Dominican Republic's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: 'Plátano Power' Is Back
2026 World Baseball Classic Broadcast Schedule: How To Watch Every Game on FOX
How to Watch 2026 World Baseball Classic: Streaming, Teams, Dates
A-Rod, Big Papi, Jeter Headline FOX Sports' 2026 World Baseball Classic Coverage
Mexico's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Big Bats Can Make A Deep Run
Puerto Rico's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Edwin Diaz Leads Bullpen
10 fastest pitches in MLB History: Regular season and playoff records
Venezuela’s Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Star Power From Top To Bottom
