The Milwaukee Brewers make the trip to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET first pitch at PNC Park against the Pirates. Jacob Misiorowski gets the ball for Milwaukee, squaring off against Pittsburgh's Lake Bachar in a regular season NL Central matchup that carries meaningful standings implications this deep into September. Brewers fans can catch the action on Brewers.TV Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook or on WTMJ 620 AM back home in Milwaukee.

Brewers at Pirates Game Preview: September 15, 2026

Misiorowski has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Milwaukee rotation, a hard-throwing right-hander whose stuff generates genuine excitement when he's on. The Pirates are throwing Bachar — a name familiar to Brewers fans given his organizational ties — and Pittsburgh is sending out a lineup that has some legitimate pop in it, so Misiorowski will need to be sharp from the opening inning.

Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup

• Konnor Griffin, SS
• Brandon Lowe, 2B
• Bryan Reynolds, RF
• Oneil Cruz, CF
• Nick Gonzales, 3B
• Ryan O'Hearn, DH
• Rafael Flores Jr., C
• Spencer Horwitz, 1B
• Jake Mangum, LF

That Pittsburgh order is worth respecting. Reynolds and Cruz represent a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat, and Oneil Cruz in particular has the kind of raw power that can turn a mistake pitch into a three-run deficit in a hurry. Misiorowski cannot afford to work around that part of the lineup and let the corners beat him — attack the zone and trust your stuff.

Three Keys to Watch

• Misiorowski's command early: Pittsburgh's lineup is capable of working counts and forcing pitch counts up quickly. If Misiorowski can establish his fastball and keep the ball down in the first two innings, he gives the Brewers bullpen a chance to stay fresh late.
• How Milwaukee attacks Bachar: The Brewers' lineup needs to identify Bachar's approach early and look to do damage in hitter's counts. Patience at the plate could pay dividends in the middle innings.
• Cruz as the central threat: Oneil Cruz hitting cleanup and playing center field means he'll factor into this game on both sides of the ball. Keeping him off the bases — and away from anything elevated — has to be a priority for Misiorowski.

Prediction

This is a winnable road game for Milwaukee. Misiorowski has the raw ability to quiet a Pittsburgh lineup that, while dangerous in spots, is beatable. If he logs five-plus quality innings and the Brewers offense makes Bachar work, expect the 'Crew to come away with a road win. Brewers 4, Pirates 2.