The World Baseball Classic has wrapped up, Spring Breakout is underway, and Opening Day is right around the corner. Pirates fans already know the season will begin with Paul Skenes squaring off against longtime nemesis Freddy Peralta and the new-look Mets in what should be a great opening series. But beyond that, what other stretches should fans have circled on the calendar?
April 3rd – 8th: Orioles and Padres at Home
It may not be Opening Day, but the home opener against the Orioles on Friday, April 3rd feels like one of the biggest early games of the season. After adding Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, Baltimore is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025, much like the Bucs. With both teams bringing in new pieces, this series should have a great early-season atmosphere.
Right after that, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres come to town on the 6th. This looks like a matchup between two teams that could be fighting for a National League Wild Card spot. It is a tough way to open the home schedule, but also a real chance for the Pirates to build momentum early.
June 2nd – 11th: Matchups with Contenders
After a relatively quiet May, which will likely be highlighted by a road series in Toronto, the Pirates hit one of their toughest stretches of the season to open June.
It starts with three games in Houston against an Astros team that may be past its peak but is still difficult to beat. From there, the Bucs head to Atlanta for a series with the Braves before returning home for what could be the biggest series of the year.
On June 9th, the Dodgers come to Pittsburgh for a three-game set with ballpark promotions each night. Even though the Pirates have not had elite teams throughout the 2020s, they have actually played the Dodgers well, sitting around .500 against them and even picking up a couple of sweeps. This series could feature a big start from Paul Skenes against one of the best lineups in baseball, along with a potential matchup if Tyler Glasnow faces his former team.
June 29th – July 5th: Fourth of July in the Capital
The highlight here is obvious. Playing in Washington, D.C. on the Fourth of July is going to be must-watch.
Before that, the Pirates travel to Philadelphia for a series against the Phillies. This could feature two of the best rotations in the National League, and it also brings the always entertaining “P00P Series,” which tends to get plenty of attention online.
August 1st – 6th: Back-to-Back Division Battles
The NL Central sent three teams to the playoffs last year, and the Pirates will see two of them to open August in the Reds and Brewers.
Cincinnati was one of the biggest surprises in baseball, taking advantage of the Mets’ late collapse to sneak into the postseason. Now they come into 2026 with higher expectations, led by a strong rotation featuring Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott, both of whom have given the Pirates trouble.
After that comes Milwaukee, the team that continues to set the standard in the division. The Brewers had the best record in baseball last season and somehow remain competitive year after year despite constant roster changes. These games could have a real impact on how the division race shapes up.
September 15th – 24th: The Final Homestand
The final homestand could end up defining the Pirates’ season.
It includes series against the Brewers and Cardinals, along with a matchup against the Kansas City Royals. The Cardinals may not be projected to contend, but they always seem to play the Pirates tough. The Royals, on the other hand, could be right in the middle of the playoff race alongside Pittsburgh.
By this point, both teams could be in must-win mode, whether for a division title or a Wild Card spot. It is also a chance to see two of the most exciting young shortstops in the game in Konner Griffin and Bobby Witt Jr.
If the Pirates are going to meet the expectations that are starting to build, it will likely happen during this stretch, all at home. It also begins with Roberto Clemente Day on September 15th, which only adds to the significance of the moment.
