The Pirates carry a historic winning streak into a July 1, 2025 showdown vs. the Cardinals. Can ace Paul Skenes and a hot Ke'Bryan Hayes continue the magic?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Welcome to July, Pittsburgh. The sun is shining, PNC Park is buzzing, and the Pirates are playing a brand of baseball not seen in this city for over a century. Riding a five-game winning streak, the Bucs aren't just winning; they're dominating in historic fashion, becoming the first MLB team since 1911 to win four straight games by at least seven runs while allowing two or fewer. After a statement month, the team turns to its ace, Paul Skenes, to keep the magic going against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Pirates became the first team in MLB history to score at least 30 runs, allow four or fewer, and record at least 25 strikeouts in a three-game series.
The final week of June was a blur of black and gold brilliance. The Pirates capped the month with a 7-0 shutout of the Cardinals, finishing June 14-13 with a +21 run differential. The exclamation point was the weekend sweep of the New York Mets, where the Pirates outscored them 30-4. This wasn't just a successful homestand; it was a franchise-altering performance, a statistical marvel that has put the entire league on notice and brought the team to .500 (24-24) under manager Don Kelly.
This historic run is a total team effort, but the offensive awakening of key players has been the catalyst. Ke'Bryan Hayes is seeing the ball like a beachball, extending his hitting streak to eight games after a 3-for-5 masterpiece on Sunday. During the streak, he's hitting a blistering .448 (13-for-29). Not to be outdone, Oneil Cruz emphatically snapped a 14-game homerless drought with two towering home runs against the Mets, reminding everyone of his game-changing power. With contributions up and down the lineup, including Henry Davis's recent 4-for-4 day, the offense is finally clicking on all cylinders.
To extend a historic streak, you hand the ball to your historic ace. Paul Skenes, who leads the National League with a 2.12 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, gets the start tonight against St. Louis' Andre Pallante. Every Skenes start has become must-see TV, and tonight carries the extra weight of keeping this incredible run alive. A sixth straight win would not only be the team's longest streak of the season but would continue to build the belief that this team's fortunes have truly turned.
As if the on-field product wasn't exciting enough, the future continues to burn bright. The farm system boasts five Top 100 prospects, led by pitchers like Bubba Chandler, who is dominating Triple-A with a 2.17 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. Adding to the buzz, reports surfaced today that another top prospect is set to be promoted, a sign that the front office is ready to capitalize on this momentum. The message is clear: the talent pipeline is flowing, and more help is on the way.
Tonight is more than just another game; it's a litmus test. With ace Paul Skenes on the mound and the bats white-hot, the Pirates have a chance to prove this historic run is the new standard, not just a fleeting moment. As reinforcements loom in the minors, the question is no longer 'if' the Pirates can compete, but 'how far' this wave of momentum can carry them. A win tonight against a division rival would send a clear message: the Buccos are for real, and July could be even more exciting than June.
