The Milwaukee Brewers head to Pittsburgh's PNC Park on Thursday, September 17, 2026 for a 12:35 PM ET first pitch against the Pirates. Kyle Harrison gets the ball for Milwaukee against Pittsburgh's Wilber Dotel in what is a meaningful late-season regular season game for both NL Central clubs. With the calendar turning toward the final weeks of the year, every game carries added weight — and the Brewers need a road win against a Pirates squad that will be playing in front of its home crowd along the Allegheny.

Probable Pitchers: Kyle Harrison vs. Wilber Dotel

Harrison draws the start for Milwaukee in this one. The left-hander will be tasked with navigating a Pittsburgh lineup that has legitimate pop from top to bottom. On the other side, Dotel takes the mound for the Pirates, giving Pittsburgh a home-game arm to lean on. With complete season stats unavailable heading into this matchup, the pitching duel will be one to watch in real time — both starters will need to establish themselves early against lineups looking to make noise in September.

Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup

• 1. Konnor Griffin, SS
• 2. Oneil Cruz, CF
• 3. Bryan Reynolds, LF
• 4. Rafael Flores Jr., 1B
• 5. Brandon Lowe, 2B
• 6. Nick Gonzales, DH
• 7. Ronny Simon, RF
• 8. Jared Triolo, 3B
• 9. Henry Davis, C

Keys to Watch

Handling the Top of Pittsburgh's Order

The Pirates are rolling out a lineup with genuine threats early. Oneil Cruz batting second in center field means Harrison will see elite athleticism and raw power at the plate before he even gets to Bryan Reynolds hitting third. Reynolds is one of the more complete hitters in the NL, and Harrison will need his command to be sharp to work through that stretch without damage.

Rafael Flores Jr. in the Cleanup Spot

Pittsburgh is leaning on Flores Jr. at first base and batting him fourth — a strong vote of confidence. The Brewers' pitching staff will need to be disciplined in the zone to prevent Pittsburgh from stringing together big innings through the middle of their lineup, where Flores Jr. and Brandon Lowe follow Reynolds.

Harrison's Ability to Settle In

Road starts in September come with their own kind of pressure. For Harrison, getting through the first time through Pittsburgh's order without a crooked number on the board is the assignment. If he can do that, Milwaukee's bullpen can help close it out.

How to Watch

The game broadcasts locally in Pittsburgh on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Brewers fans can catch the action on Brewers.TV Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook, or tune in on the radio at WTMJ 620 in Milwaukee or 100.1 FM/KDKA-AM 1020 in Pittsburgh.

Prediction

This is the kind of game that comes down to whichever starter establishes control first. Pittsburgh's lineup has the pieces to make things uncomfortable, and PNC Park is a tough place to win. That said, Milwaukee has the motivation of a late-season road game where nothing can be taken for granted. Expect a competitive, low-scoring affair. Brewers 4, Pirates 3.