Player of the gameVinnie PasquantinoKCR2/4 1hr 2rbi
Franchises need their pillars to succeed. For the Pirates, Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz and Paul Skenes are those pillars. Yet with just single-digit games remaining in 2026, the trio played in just their 12th game together on Friday night. In an 8-5 series-opening win over the Royals at PNC Park, Skenes, Griffin and Cruz showed off what could’ve been, and what could be. Pittsburgh was backed by seven combined hits from Griffin and Cruz, and six innings from Skenes. As the Pirates strive for their first winning season since 2018, a win over the Royals would clinch their best season since that same year. The Bucs (77-77) are on the brink of missing the postseason for the 11th consecutive season. Still, with eight games to go, they have a shot at ending the year over .500. “I feel like the way we finish this year could take us into next year with good momentum,” Griffin said. “But like I said, we're still trying to make the playoffs. That's the goal. We're still in the fight until they say we can't make it. We're gonna keep trying to win every game, and it will help going into next year with finishing strong here.” Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, has stayed healthy all season, though the rare standard he set for himself over his first two MLB seasons is hard to live up to. Skenes retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth against the Royals after he had allowed five runs on two solo home runs and a barrage of base hits in a three-run third. Pittsburgh gradually worked its way back from a 5-2 deficit to give Skenes a no-decision. With likely one more start this season, Skenes feels he has seen the pendulum of both luck and success swing from all positives to mostly negatives.
