It’s Wednesday, July 9 and the Pirates (38-55) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (45-48). Bailey Falter is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Kris Bubic for Kansas City.

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Cruz, 26, will join Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as the latest participants in the annual slugging contest.

For Pittsburgh Pirates' central pitcher Paul Skenes, one of his teammates will be one of the standout hitters in the Home Run Derby. The event will take place on July 14 at Truist

His .402 slugging percentage ranks No. 47 in the National League, down from .449 in 2024 and his career mark of .438.The 26-year-old has averaged 27 home runs per 162 games in his career, which got off to a hot start in 2021 and 2022 before injuries knocked him out for most of 2023.

Bailey Falter (6-4) gets the start as the Pirates try to end their 7-game road losing streak in the series finale against the Royals

The Pittsburgh Pirates are back on the board. Tommy Pham’s two-run home run in the third inning at Kansas City on Monday night ended a 30-inning scoreless streak for the Pirates, who were shut out in all three games at Seattle during their previous series.