Sports Today Sunday, September 6
← Back to today’s slate MLB matchup · September 6, 2026
Los Angeles Angels
54-88 · 5th in AL West, 18.5 GB
Offense cooling lately
RHP Walbert Ureña · Balanced starter
@
Pittsburgh Pirates
70-73 · 4th in NL Central, 18 GB
Offense cooling lately
RHP Paul Skenes · Elite strikeout stuff
MLB · PNC Park · 10:35 AM PT

Team Identity

Los Angeles Angels
Season-to-date, 142 games, 5,503 PA.
A below-league-average offense across most categories this season. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Well Below12
Contact
Well Below16
Plate Discipline
Below Avg31
Speed
Average47
RISP
Well Below13
Recent Form
Trending Down
Total bases per PA is down 19% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Season-to-date, 143 games, 5,766 PA.
An aggressive, patient offense that runs and pressures defenses on the bases. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Below Avg39
Contact
Average61
Plate Discipline
Above Avg72
Speed
Above Avg82
RISP
Above Avg68
Recent Form
Trending Down
Total bases per PA is down 17% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.

What This Game Is About

Biggest Advantage

Pirates' offense is defined by being aggressive, and this game tests whether Angels can match it.

Swing Factor

Paul Skenes strikes hitters out at a 28.3% clip (89th percentile); Angels carry a 24.4% strikeout rate.

Momentum

Angels are trending down and Pirates are trending down over their last 10 games.

Key Matchups

Can Paul Skenes miss enough bats?
Paul Skenes strikes hitters out at a 28.3% clip (89th percentile); Angels carry a 24.4% strikeout rate.
Edge · Paul SkenesPaul Skenes: 28.3% K rateAngels: 24.4% K rateHigh confidence
Can Walbert Ureña limit Pirates' power?
Pirates rank in the 39th percentile in extra-base production, while Walbert Ureña sits in the 92nd percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · Walbert UreñaPirates: 0.343 TB/PAWalbert Ureña: 0.243 TB/PA allowed (544 PA)High confidence
Can Paul Skenes limit Angels' power?
Angels rank in the 12th percentile in extra-base production, while Paul Skenes sits in the 51st percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · Paul SkenesAngels: 0.320 TB/PAPaul Skenes: 0.335 TB/PA allowed (629 PA)High confidence
Can Walbert Ureña command the strike zone?
Pirates walk in 8.9% of trips; Walbert Ureña allows walks at a fairly typical rate (11.8%).
Edge · PiratesPirates: 8.9% walk rateWalbert Ureña: 11.8% walks allowedHigh confidence
Can Paul Skenes command the strike zone?
Angels walk in 7.9% of trips; Paul Skenes allows walks sparingly (7.0%).
Edge · Paul SkenesAngels: 7.9% walk ratePaul Skenes: 7.0% walks allowedHigh confidence

Pitcher Trends

Walbert Urena
Walbert Urena
Los Angeles Angels · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts5.2/start
Hits allowed3.8/start
5 or fewer Hits Allowed — 6 of last 67+ Strikeouts — 3 of last 6
22% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.
Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes
Pittsburgh Pirates · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts6.0/start
Hits allowed5.2/start
4 or fewer Hits Allowed — 3 of last 64 or fewer Strikeouts — 3 of last 6
28% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.

Player Trends

Christian Moore
Christian Moore
Los Angeles Angels · 0.136 hit rate · 0.273 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L105 / 10L2510 / 19
Total bases per PA is up 64% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 10 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 18%.
Wade Meckler
Wade Meckler
Los Angeles Angels · 0.306 hit rate · 0.389 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L107 / 10L2519 / 252-game hit streak
Hit rate is up 23% over his prior baseline, with hits in 6 of his last 8 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 11%.
Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds
Pittsburgh Pirates · 0.298 hit rate · 0.426 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L108 / 10L2517 / 252-game hit streak
Hit rate is up 40% over his prior baseline, with hits in 8 of his last 10 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 13%.
Jose Siri
Jose Siri
Los Angeles Angels · 0.000 hit rate · 0.000 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L50 / 5L101 / 10L258 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 100% over his prior baseline, with hits in 0 of his last 8 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 42%.
Rafael Flores
Rafael Flores
Pittsburgh Pirates · 0.114 hit rate · 0.229 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L104 / 10L2511 / 252-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is down 55% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 9 games.
Esmerlyn Valdez
Esmerlyn Valdez
Pittsburgh Pirates · 0.115 hit rate · 0.231 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L105 / 10L2512 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 46% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 6 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 46%.

Players Positioned to Succeed

79
Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Batting 3rd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
76
Nick Gonzales
Nick Gonzales
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Batting 4th, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
75
Zach Neto
Zach Neto
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Angels
Why it stands out
Batting 1st, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Elevated recent strikeout rate
75
Mike Trout
Mike Trout
1+ Hit
Los Angeles Angels
Why it stands out
Batting 2nd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
74
Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Batting 5th, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Elevated recent strikeout rate
74
Konnor Griffin
Konnor Griffin
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Batting 1st, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Elevated recent strikeout rate

Expected Game Shape

Starter-drivenModerate confidence

Runs may be at a premium if the starters hold form. Pirates bring more power. Starting pitching is likely to set the tone.

Early edge Pirates Driver Pitching and command Volatility Moderate
  • Both probable starters grade around the 64th percentile in combined suppression.
  • Angels are trending down; Pirates are trending down.

Storylines to Watch

Can Angels handle Paul Skenes's strikeout stuff?
Angels have been a below-average contact team while Paul Skenes misses bats at an above-average rate — a swing factor early.
Angels contact percentile: 16
Can Jose Siri snap out of it?
Jose Siri has cooled off. Total bases per PA is down 100% over his prior baseline, with hits in 0 of his last 8 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 42%.
0.000 hit rate · 0.000 TB/PA · 0.230 hit rate · 0.397 TB/PA
Is Christian Moore the one to watch?
Christian Moore enters as Angels' hottest bat. Total bases per PA is up 64% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 10 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 18%.
0.136 hit rate · 0.273 TB/PA · 0.139 hit rate · 0.167 TB/PA
Based on plate appearances before 2026-09-06, with today's posted lineups when available. Injuries, weather, bullpen availability, and park factors are not yet included.