Pirates Make Big Lineup Changes Against Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates take on one of the better pitchers they'll face all season in Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed starter Tarik Skubal in a big matchup.
The Pirates are also adjusting to facing the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, who they battle at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 22.
Pittsburgh hasn't ever won a game against Skubal, who finished with a 3-0 record in five outings and four starts, a 2.45 ERA over 25.2 innings and 29 strikeouts to seven walks against them when he pitched for the Detroit Tigers.
Skubal joined the Dodgers at the trade deadline and the Pirates have a different lineup to try and get after one of the best in the game.
Pirates Make Major Lineup Change Against Skubal
The Pirates won't have either second baseman Brandon Lowe nor first baseman Spencer Horwitz in the lineup vs. Skubal.
Lowe is 0-for-5 vs. Skubal and struggles against left-handed pitching as a left-handed batter, slashing .212/.255/.338 for an OPS of .593, compared to him hitting right-handed pitching much better .274/.348/.547 for an OPS of .895.
Horwitz has also had issues against southpaws as a left-handed batter himself, hitting .200/.317/.260 for an OPS of .577 and hasn't done so well since returning from his left hamstring injury and concussion on Aug. 2, batting .115/.207/.135 for an OPS of .342.
The Pirates will only have center fielder Oneil Cruz as the sole left-handed batter against Skubal, who just came back from a left hand fracture on Aug. 17, missing more than two months.
Cruz worked hard this offseason and has been great against left-handed pitching in 2026, batting .308/.357/.500 for an OPS of .857, and has two home runs and an RBI-single since returning, including a two-run home run to tie it up 4-4 in the eighth inning in series opener vs. the Dodgers on Aug. 21.
How Pirates Lineup Looks vs. Skubal
Player | Position | Batting Side |
|---|---|---|
Nick Gonzales | Second Base | Right |
Esmerlyn Valdez | Right Field | Right |
Bryan Reynolds | Left Field | Switch |
Oneil Cruz | Center Field | Left |
Rafael Flores Jr. | First Base | Right |
Jake Mangum | Left Field | Switch |
Nick Yorke | Third Base | Right |
Jared Triolo | Shortstop | Right |
Henry Davis | Catcher | Right |
The Pirates have six right-handed bats, two switch-hitters and the sole left-handed hitter in Cruz.
Nick Gonzales takes over from Lowe, moving from designated hitter to second base, and Rafael Flores Jr. takes over from Horwitz, moving from catcher to first base.
Gonzales had two RBI-singles in the series opener and will leadoff, while Flores has hit five home runs in his past eight games and bats fifth for the second time in 2026, making him one of the better power hitters for the Pirates as of late.
Esmerlyn Valdez comes back in after a day off and will feature in right field and bat second for just the fourth time this season.
Bryan Reynolds stays third in the lineup, but will serve as designated hitter, while Jake Mangum takes over in left field and moves up one spot to sixth in the lineup.
Nick Yorke takes over at third base, batting seventh, while Jared Triolo moves over to shortstop and hits eighth.
Henry Davis will play catcher and bat ninth, looking to respond after hitting into a double play with the bases loaded in the 10th inning, resulting in the 5-4 loss.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.