Pirates Insider: Nine storylines to follow on what figures to be a revealing road trip

LOS ANGELES — When Pirates and players first examined the 2026 schedule last August, this pocket was hard to ignore.

Nine games in 11 days, including six against NL West heavyweights in the Dodgers and Padres, plus ending a month where the Pirates play 18 of 27 on the road.

The thought then was that it could make or break the season, and it’s the same thing now.

One way or another, the next nine games will speak volumes about this team.

“We just have to keep going,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to keep competing like we have all year. … That’s the expectation through the remainder of the season.”

With that in mind, here are nine storylines to follow for the upcoming trip:

1. The pitching probables for this weekend at Dodger Stadium are … not easy: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Friday, Tarik Skubal Saturday and Blake Snell Sunday. As if the task — 5.5 games back of the final National League Wild Card spot with 33 to play — wasn’t daunting enough.

Furthermore, the Dodgers, Padres and Cardinals are a combined 20-10 over their past 10 and have a plus-36 run differential (245-209) in August. It won’t be easy.

2. The importance of Oneil Cruz was felt in the bottom of the first Wednesday, when he cracked an elevated heater into left for an early lead. Same thing Tuesday with his 422-foot homer to right-center.

One wild stat to encapsulate Cruz’s value: He’s one of just five Major Leaguers since 1920 (when RBI became official) with at least 15 home runs, 45 RBIs and 20 steals through his first 65 games. He’s at 15, 47 and 22.

Having Cruz back is crucial for the Pirates.

“Whatever it takes to help this team through the last run of the season, that’s what I’m gonna do,” Cruz said, with Major League coach Stephen Morales translating.

3. It’s no secret the bullpen struggled this season, hence its reconstruction at the MLB Trade Deadline. It’s also possible those problems may be behind the Pirates.

Since the All-Star break, that group has a 3.48 ERA, good enough for 12th in MLB. Only six clubs have blown fewer saves.

Camilo Doval, Kirby Yates, Lake Bachar and Luke Weaver have a 3.23 ERA, and that’s inflated by Weaver’s three-run inning against Boston.

There’s been more depth, a better role for Gregory Soto and a deadly combination with Weaver and Mason Montgomery at the back end of games.

4. It’s hard to say whether the extra rest genuinely helped Paul Skenes. His velocity wasn’t down, but it wasn’t up. The control also needs to improve; Skenes has walked 13 over his past four starts.

Skenes probably won’t suddenly find triple digits again, but he can locate and execute more consistently than he has in recent starts. Obviously the Pirates need that to happen.

“I haven't had huge command issues in the past,” Skenes said. “I don't think it's going to continue.”

5. It’ll be interesting to see who starts Sunday’s series finale for the Pirates.

Carmen Mlodzinski’s return to the rotation has been rough: 13 earned runs allowed in 8 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Bachar and Yohan Ramírez have been solid in length roles.

They could piggyback two of the three. Either way, they need more from that rotation spot.

6. After the Red Sox series, it looked like Esmerlyn Valdez was poised for a breakout. Following seven games without a hit, Valdez batted .345 with an .860 OPS over his next eight leading into the Tigers series. Then, whoosh.

Valdez went hitless in 12 at-bats against Detroit and struck out eight times. So, which is it? July Valdez (.942 OPS) would been a gigantic upgrade over the August version (.570).

7. Several catching questions exist. Rafael Flores Jr. has been the hottest hitter in baseball over the past week; nobody has more than his five homers or 10 RBIs since Aug. 13. Can he keep it going?

Meanwhile, Henry Davis was hit on the wrist Wednesday, though Kelly said X-rays were negative. They also traded for Christian Bethancourt, an ominous sign for Endy Rodríguez, who’s on the 10-day injured list with left hip inflammation.

Flores’ bat could be pivotal. He can also play while first base, while Davis is far and away their best defensive catcher.

Bethancourt, who has an .811 OPS in 67 Triple-A games this season, isn’t your average for-cash addition due to his 427 games of MLB experience.

A lot of stuff to sort out over the next nine.

8. The Pirates’ recent lineup construction seems to suggest concern over Nick Gonzales’ defense at third base — and it’s not unfounded. Gonzales has been worth -14 defensive runs saved this season, per FanGraphs. That’s last among all qualified defenders.

At the same time, Gonzales is hitting .310, second in the National League behind Philadelphia’s Luis Arraez (.319). His .772 OPS warrants regular playing time, but it might make more sense for it come at second base, where Gonzales’ -1 DRS is more manageable.

It’ll be interesting to see how they balance picking offense versus defense with Gonzales and Jared Triolo, plus designated hitter days for Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds and Cruz.

9. Another reason why this road trip matters so much is what could come next. Konnor Griffin and Ryan O’Hearn are rehabbing in Florida: Griffin a sagittal band injury on his left hand, O’Hearn a strain to his left quad.

Griffin said Sept. 4 — the first day he’s eligible — is his target date, and O’Hearn thinks he can return before that. If the Pirates can stay afloat until then, they’ll theoretically have their offense intact for the first time since May.

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.