← Back to today’s slate MLB matchup · September 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates
81-78 · 3rd in NL Central, 19 GB
Bats heating up
RHP Bubba Chandler · Balanced starter
@
Detroit Tigers
74-85 · 4th in AL Central, 9 GB
Bats heating up
RHP Jackson Jobe · High-strikeout arm
MLB · Comerica Park · 3:40 PM PT

Team Identity

Pittsburgh Pirates
Season-to-date, 159 games, 6,376 PA.
An aggressive, patient offense that runs and pressures defenses on the bases. The bats have been heating up lately.
Power
Average46
Contact
Average66
Plate Discipline
Above Avg72
Speed
Above Avg82
RISP
Average63
Recent Form
Trending Up
Total bases per PA is up 13% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.
Detroit Tigers
Season-to-date, 159 games, 6,234 PA.
A patient offense that works counts and draws walks, though it can be station-to-station. The bats have been heating up lately.
Power
Average53
Contact
Below Avg40
Plate Discipline
Above Avg82
Speed
Well Below8
RISP
Below Avg30
Recent Form
Trending Up
Walk rate is up 28% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.

What This Game Is About

Biggest Advantage

Tigers bring the more patient profile, while Pirates lean on being aggressive.

Swing Factor

Jackson Jobe strikes hitters out at a 24.4% clip (73rd percentile); Pirates carry a 23.1% strikeout rate.

Momentum

Pirates are trending up and Tigers are trending up over their last 10 games.

Key Matchups

Can Jackson Jobe miss enough bats?
Jackson Jobe strikes hitters out at a 24.4% clip (73rd percentile); Pirates carry a 23.1% strikeout rate.
Edge · PiratesJackson Jobe: 24.4% K ratePirates: 23.1% K rateModerate confidence
Can Bubba Chandler command the strike zone?
Tigers walk in 9.2% of trips; Bubba Chandler allows walks at a fairly typical rate (11.3%).
Edge · TigersTigers: 9.2% walk rateBubba Chandler: 11.3% walks allowedHigh confidence
Can Jackson Jobe command the strike zone?
Pirates walk in 8.8% of trips; Jackson Jobe allows walks sparingly (8.0%).
Edge · Jackson JobePirates: 8.8% walk rateJackson Jobe: 8.0% walks allowedModerate confidence
Can Jackson Jobe limit Pirates' power?
Pirates rank in the 46th percentile in extra-base production, while Jackson Jobe sits in the 27th percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · PiratesPirates: 0.346 TB/PAJackson Jobe: 0.375 TB/PA allowed (176 PA)Moderate confidence
Can Bubba Chandler miss enough bats?
Bubba Chandler strikes hitters out at a 20.4% clip (42nd percentile); Tigers carry a 22.1% strikeout rate.
Edge · TigersBubba Chandler: 20.4% K rateTigers: 22.1% K rateHigh confidence

Pitcher Trends

Bubba Chandler
Bubba Chandler
Pittsburgh Pirates · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts4.9/start
Hits allowed4.6/start
5 or fewer Hits Allowed — 5 of last 64 or fewer Strikeouts — 3 of last 6
20% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.
Jackson Jobe
Jackson Jobe
Detroit Tigers · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts5.4/start
Hits allowed4.4/start
4 or fewer Hits Allowed — 5 of last 67+ Strikeouts — 3 of last 6
24% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.

Player Trends

Ben Malgeri
Ben Malgeri
Detroit Tigers · 0.316 hit rate · 0.737 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L104 / 10L259 / 253-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is up 153% over his prior baseline, with hits in 4 of his last 7 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 11%.
Brandon Lowe
Brandon Lowe
Pittsburgh Pirates · 0.293 hit rate · 0.683 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L109 / 10L2518 / 252-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is up 70% over his prior baseline, with hits in 9 of his last 10 games.
Spencer Torkelson
Spencer Torkelson
Detroit Tigers · 0.209 hit rate · 0.419 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L107 / 10L2514 / 25
On-base rate is up 60% over his prior baseline, with hits in 7 of his last 10 games.
Zach McKinstry
Zach McKinstry
Detroit Tigers · 0.000 hit rate · 0.000 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L50 / 5L102 / 10L258 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 100% over his prior baseline, with hits in 0 of his last 6 games.
John Peck
John Peck
Detroit Tigers · 0.065 hit rate · 0.065 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L50 / 5L104 / 10L258 / 18
Total bases per PA is down 66% over his prior baseline, with hits in 2 of his last 8 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 26%.
Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres
Detroit Tigers · 0.132 hit rate · 0.132 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L106 / 10L2518 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 57% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 8 games.

Players Positioned to Succeed

87
Kevin McGonigle
Kevin McGonigle
1+ Hit
Detroit Tigers
Why it stands out
Batting 3rd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
80
Hao-Yu Lee
Hao-Yu Lee
1+ Hit
Detroit Tigers
Why it stands out
Batting 2nd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
80
Konnor Griffin
Konnor Griffin
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Batting 1st, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
77
Riley Greene
Riley Greene
1+ Hit
Detroit Tigers
Why it stands out
Batting 5th, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Recent hit rate has cooled
74
Max Clark
Max Clark
1+ Hit
Detroit Tigers
Why it stands out
Batting 1st, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
73
Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Batting 4th, confirmed lineup
No notable risk

Expected Game Shape

BalancedLow confidence

Competitive profile without a clear stylistic tilt.

Early edge Tigers Driver No single dominant factor Volatility Moderate
  • Both probable starters grade around the 51st percentile in combined suppression.
  • Pirates are trending up; Tigers are trending up.

Storylines to Watch

Is Ben Malgeri the one to watch?
Ben Malgeri enters as Tigers' hottest bat. Total bases per PA is up 153% over his prior baseline, with hits in 4 of his last 7 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 11%.
0.316 hit rate · 0.737 TB/PA · 0.192 hit rate · 0.292 TB/PA
Can Zach McKinstry snap out of it?
Zach McKinstry has cooled off. Total bases per PA is down 100% over his prior baseline, with hits in 0 of his last 6 games.
0.000 hit rate · 0.000 TB/PA · 0.181 hit rate · 0.265 TB/PA
Based on plate appearances before 2026-09-25, with today's posted lineups when available. Injuries, weather, bullpen availability, and park factors are not yet included.