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This article previews the August 22, 2026 matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers. It highlights pitching starters Jared Jones and Tarik Skubal, noting their recent performance trends and the context of Skubal's recent acquisition by the Dodgers.
MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac argues that Paul Skenes' recent performance decline stems from mechanical issues, specifically excessive upper-body rotation causing his arm to drag. This misalignment leads to lost fastball command and increased earned runs, explaining the Pittsburgh Pirates' recent struggles in the NL Wild Card race.
The article argues that the Pittsburgh Pirates have significantly missed shortstop Konnor Griffin during his six-week injury absence, as replacements Jared Triolo and Jacob Gonzalez have underperformed offensively. It highlights Griffin's value through his contract extension and statistical contributions before detailing the team's struggles in his absence.
The article argues that Brandon Lowe has been the Pittsburgh Pirates' most valuable player, citing his record-breaking home run totals and defensive improvements. It contends that while re-signing him is desirable, the team must weigh his age and expected salary increase against potential career decline before the World Series.