The Pirates boast one of the best pitchers in baseball, a revamped infield, added power at the plate, and a top prospect knocking on the door. So how will it all come together this season? That’s still up for debate.
There’s a general belief Pittsburgh will surpass last year’s win total — but by how much remains the question. As the 2026 season begins, the team is walking the line between optimism and expectation.
For Don Kelly, 1st Opening Day as Pirates manager represents a fresh start in dream job
Don Kelly has made no secret that he cherishes every moment of managing the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the season opener at the New York Mets on Thursday marks the first Opening Day as their skipper for the Mt. Lebanon and Point Park alum.
Paul Skenes leans into leadership as Opening Day starter wants to will the Pirates to win
Paul Skenes will be the first to admit that he wasn’t the leader of the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, instead taking a deferential disposition toward franchise icon Andrew McCutchen and other veteran players.
Quest to contend: Pirates bolster roster around Paul Skenes with eye on postseason
Paul Skenes sensed something felt different the first time he took the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring, once he looked at a lineup that featured All-Star additions.
Predictions
Tim Benz: Identifying the gap between legitimate Pirates optimism and total hyperbole
If there is a line of people ahead of me who are more cynical and jaded about the Pittsburgh Pirates, it’s a short one. Yet here I am — with Game 1 of the 2026 season approaching on Thursday — predicting 81 wins.
Mark Madden: Is it still hating if it happens? Expect 77 wins for these Pirates
I’m often accused of hating the Pirates. Not true. I’m just a beacon of harsh truth. The Pirates were my first big sports love.
Joe Starkey: The Pirates will win 86 games, and thank you for asking
I am predicting 86 wins in 2026, with the Pirates mired in a seven-year losing streak — and I am going to be every bit as right as he was (although the Pirates actually won just 94 in ’13, prompting me to tell Hurdle after a loss in the regular-season finale, “My column tomorrow is that your prediction was wrong.”).
TribLive writers offer their predictions for the 2026 MLB season
Opening Day is set for Thursday across Major League Baseball, and TribLive writers Kevin Gorman and Justin Guerriero and columnists Tim Benz and Joe Starkey have thoughts on how the season will shake out. Here’s a look.
Previewing the Pirates
Pitching: Carmen Mlodzinski earns final spot in starting rotation
Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will start the season-opener Thursday at Citi Field, followed by Mitch Keller on Saturday (Friday is an off day). After the Pirates wrap up in New York, they will travel to Cincinnati, where righties Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler are slated to start vs. the Reds on March 30 and 31.
Bullpen: Rebuilt bullpen could see Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto as closers
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the final bullpen moves came down to their starting pitching, but the biggest decision will be who serves as closer.
Infield: With Konnor Griffin out of mix, Jared Triolo could be key at shortstop
The storyline that dominated spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates was whether 19-year-old Konnor Griffin, the consensus top prospect in baseball, would be their starting shortstop on Opening Day.
Outfield: Plenty of pop in the outfield but defense remains a real concern
When the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the process of signing Marcell Ozuna to be their designated hitter and approached Ryan O’Hearn about playing more outfield than first base, his response came with a request.
Roster
2026 Pirates 40-man roster breakdown
The Pittsburgh Pirates have 20 pitchers and 20 position players on their 40-man roster as the 2026 season approaches. Here’s a look at each player.
Special section
MLB Previews
MLB season preview: Robot umpires, Dodgers try for 3 in row, Rays return to Trop as lockout looms
Baseball is changing at a dizzying speed in 2026 with the arrival of robot umpires, the return home of the Tampa Bay Rays and an alphabet soup of networks televising games in perhaps the last season before a labor shutdown.
NL East preview: Phillies bring back core as they try to hold off new-look Mets, banged-up Braves
Still powered by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back mostly the same team that won its second consecutive NL East title last season and made a fourth straight playoff appearance.
NL Central preview: Loaded Cubs going for division title, but Brewers, Reds lurking
Alex Bregman, welcome to the NL Central. Welcome back, Eugenio Suarez.
NL West preview: Everyone still chasing World Series champion Dodgers
Dave Roberts spent much of spring training thinking about how to manage the health of his two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers so they can play for the long haul once again.
AL East preview: Yankees, Blue Jays eye something more after recent AL pennants
The AL East hasn’t produced a World Series champion since 2018, equaling the longest drought in the history of this powerful division.
AL Central Preview: Tigers open as favorites while the White Sox try to climb out of the basement
The Detroit Tigers and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal have their sights set on winning the AL Central for the first time since 2014. The Chicago White Sox would love to simply get out of the division’s basement.
AL West Preview: Cal Raleigh and Mariners look to defend their first division title since 2001
Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners switched things up in the American League West last season, and got as close as they ever have to making a World Series.
New at PNC Park
A fresh menu takes the field at PNC Park
New ballpark bites are on deck at PNC Park for the upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates season. The team unveiled creative spins on Steel City staples — from pierogies and kielbasa to chipped ham favorites. In total, nine new menu items will be available at select spots throughout the ballpark.