Baseball is a game of cycles, and if you haven't been paying attention to the NL Central lately, you're missing a weird one. Honestly, the Brewers vs Pirates 2025 matchups have been a masterclass in how a "small market" powerhouse stays on top while a rebuilding team tries to find its soul. Everyone expected Milwaukee to fall off a cliff after losing Willy Adames to the Giants in free agency.
They didn't.
Instead, the Brewers spent 2025 proving they might be the most resilient organization in the league. By September 6, 2025, Milwaukee sat at a comfortable 87-55, while Pittsburgh was grinding through another developmental year at 64-78. But records are kinda lying to you here. If you just look at the standings, you miss the absolute chaos that happened on the field between these two teams.
Why the Brewers vs Pirates 2025 Season Was Closer Than It Looked
You've got to look at the individual series to see the grit. In May, the Pirates actually took two out of three in Pittsburgh. It felt like a turning point. Paul Skenes was throwing absolute gas, and for a second, the "Steel City" fans thought they might actually challenge for the division. But then August hit.
Milwaukee went on a tear.
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They swept the Pirates in a four-game set between August 11 and August 13, outscoring them 40-6. Yeah, you read that right. Forty to six. That series included a 14-0 blowout where the Pirates' bullpen basically surrendered. It was brutal.
But then, funny enough, the Pirates showed up in September and played them tight again. It’s that classic divisional "spoiler" energy. Pittsburgh hasn't been "good" in the traditional sense, but they've been a persistent headache for the Brew Crew's pitching staff.
The Pitching Matchups That Defined the Year
If you're a fan of high-level pitching, this rivalry was your bread and butter in 2025. We got to see Paul Skenes face off against the Brewers' machine multiple times. Skenes is a freak. In a June 25 start, he struck out nine Brewers in six innings, but Milwaukee still managed a 4-2 win because their defense is arguably the best in the NL.
- Brandon Woodruff made a massive comeback, sitting at 5-2 with a 3.69 ERA by late season.
- Mitch Keller for the Pirates has been the definition of a "workhorse," even if his 6-13 record doesn't show it.
- Freddy Peralta remains a Pirate-killer, though he actually struggled in a few August starts against them.
- Jacob Misiorowski emerged as a legitimate weapon for Milwaukee, sporting a sub-2.00 ERA in his early starts.
The Brewers' strategy has been simple: out-pitch and out-defend. They don't have the highest home run totals—actually, their offense ranked 18th for much of the season—but they don't beat themselves.
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The Pirates? They struggled with power. They sat at 29th in the league for homers. You can't win a division in 2025 by hitting singles and hoping for the best, especially when you're facing a bullpen like Milwaukee’s.
The Jackson Chourio Factor
Let’s talk about Jackson Chourio. The kid is 21 and playing like a ten-year vet. He led Milwaukee with over 130 hits by September. When he’s on base, the Pirates look panicked. His speed creates a gravity that opens up everything for guys like William Contreras and Christian Yelich.
Yelich, by the way, has settled into this "elder statesman" role perfectly. He’s not hitting 40 bombs anymore, but his .464 slugging percentage in 2025 has been vital. He knows how to take a walk when the Pirates' young pitchers get wild.
On the other side, Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz moved to center field. It’s been a bit of an adjustment. He’s got the tools, but the Brewers' hitters have been smart about testing his routes.
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What Actually Happened at PNC Park?
PNC Park is the best stadium in baseball. Don't argue with me. But for the Pirates, it hasn't been a fortress. They’ve been decent at home (around .500), but their road record was the second-worst in the league for a huge chunk of 2025.
When the Brewers vs Pirates 2025 series moved to Milwaukee, it was usually a bloodbath. The Brewers owned the best home record in the MLB at 39-20 during the mid-summer stretch. American Family Field becomes a loud, indoor nightmare for opposing pitchers.
Key Takeaways and What to Watch For
If you’re betting on these games or just trying to sound smart at the bar, here’s the reality. The Brewers are a process-driven team. They lose a star like Adames and just plug in a guy like Brice Turang, who hit .292 this year.
The Pirates are still in the "talent collection" phase. They have the arms. Skenes, Keller, and Jared Jones are a scary 1-2-3 punch. But their bullpen? It fell apart after they traded David Bednar to the Yankees.
If you want to understand the Brewers vs Pirates 2025 dynamic, look at the errors and the walks. Milwaukee rarely gives away free bases. Pittsburgh, unfortunately, still does.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the bullpen moves: The Pirates' lack of a closing presence is their biggest hurdle. Until they find a consistent ninth-inning guy, Milwaukee will keep stealing late-inning wins.
- Track the youth: Keep an eye on Andrew Fischer for the Brewers. He’s the top 3B prospect in baseball and could be the next piece of this dynasty.
- Pitching splits matter: Freddy Peralta's historical dominance over the Pirates is real, but keep an eye on his fatigue levels in late-season starts.
- Daily Matchups: When Skenes is on the mound, the Under is usually a safe bet. When it's a battle of the bullpens, Milwaukee's depth is the clear edge.
The division isn't over yet, but the gap between these two is clearly about organizational depth, not just raw talent. Keep watching the waiver wire and the injury reports, specifically regarding Jackson Chourio's hamstring, as that’s the one thing that could actually slow the Brewers down.