Let's Road Trip Brewers 2025: Trip #5 - Pirate Hunting - Brewers

The Brewers face a four-game heat check in the middle of May, when they invade PNC Park in hopes of squashing the hopes and dreams of the upstart Pittsburgh Pirates. What awaits the Brew Crew when they attempt to seize the treasure of division supremecy?

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Pittsburgh Pirates – May 22-25
PNC Park - Capacity 38,747
2024 Attendance: 1,720,361 (Averaged 21,239 - ranked 14th out of 15 NL teams, 25th overall MLB)

In 2024, the Brewers took a road trip to Pittsburgh in April and September, and they came away with a four-game split and a three-game series victory for a 4-3 record overall at PNC Park. It was feast or famine for the Brewers offense, with all three losses involving Brewer droughts of two runs or less. The Brewers have been traveling to PNC Park since 2001, and in the 205 games there, the Brew Crew has won 95 of the contests and lost 110 of them. This is a typical road trip result, and a wash should be expected for this NL Central rivalry. With the unbalanced schedule, the Brewers were able to make some serious moves up the standings in 2019 and 2021 in Pittsburgh against the lowly Pirates, but it looks like the "lowly" days are done in Pittsburgh.

The 2024 Pirates squad stayed in the mix for most of the season but faltered down the stretch. With stud pitching prospect Paul Skenes making his MLB debut, the 2025 squad seeks to transition from overperforming youth to tested veterans. The infield duo of Ke'Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz looks to take the next step, and Pirates fans began to show their appreciation for a team on the rise.

PNC Park consistently makes the Top 10 lists for its scenic beauty and baseball viewing sightlines. When it opened in 2001, its city-centered orientation and river views awed baseball fans (while the product on the field left something to be desired). Now that the team has a squad to match the view, attendance should continue to climb. Visiting fans will find hospitable hosts, but Twins fans shouldn’t expect too much success at the end of such a grueling road trip. Hopefully, a few “raised Jolly Rogers” won’t pirate the Cubs’ playoff hopes for the season.

Pittsburgh has plenty to offer a baseball tourist, from its downtown atmosphere of food and entertainment to the Andy Warhol and Roberto Clemente Museums. It might be on the chilly side in early Spring, but it is the perfect time of year to walk about the city and take in the unique landscape.

Win or lose, the Brewers must scurry back to Milwaukee for a short three-game series against the Boston Red Sox the next day. There is no rest for the wicked; hopefully, that's how the Pirates describe the Brewers after this series.