Arizona Diamondbacks vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions May 28th 2025

All-Star Pitchers Set for Showdown in Series Finale

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates will wrap up their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon with a marquee pitching matchup between two recent National League All-Stars.

Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ rookie sensation, will square off against Zac Gallen of the Diamondbacks. Both right-handers have started All-Star Games — Skenes in 2024 and Gallen in 2023 — setting the stage for a high-profile finale in Phoenix.

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Skenes Shines in Rookie Campaign

Paul Skenes (3-5, 2.36 ERA) has delivered consistently strong performances in his first season. He became just the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game, tossing a scoreless inning in the 2024 contest. His fastball, regularly touching 99 mph, was on display in a recent at-bat where he blew three straight heaters past Bryce Harper.

Despite taking a tough-luck loss in that game, allowing one run over eight innings, Skenes has logged quality starts in eight of his 11 outings. He’s allowed just four home runs across 68 2/3 innings and has not given up a long ball since May 1.

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Pirates Ride Momentum into Finale

Pittsburgh enters the rubber match with momentum following a stunning comeback win on Tuesday. The Pirates overcame a six-run deficit, scoring seven runs in the eighth inning to claim a 9-6 victory. Bryan Reynolds led the charge with four hits, including a decisive three-run homer.

The offense will now look to support Skenes against a struggling Gallen, who has not found his rhythm this season.

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Gallen Searches for Form in Uneven Season

Zac Gallen (3-6, 5.25 ERA) has not lived up to his usual standards this season. After starting the 2023 All-Star Game, Gallen’s ERA has increased for the third straight year. Through 11 starts in 2025, his ERA is nearly two runs above his career average.

His pitch velocity and mix remain consistent, but Gallen leads the National League in walks with 29, averaging 4.2 per nine innings — double his 2023 rate. According to manager Torey Lovullo, Gallen is missing his targets by narrow margins, and opponents are adjusting with disciplined approaches.

In his last three starts, Gallen has given up 14 earned runs on 21 hits over 16 1/3 innings. He holds a 3-2 record with a 3.34 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates.

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Final Thoughts and Betting Resources

With both teams vying for the series win, the Skenes-Gallen matchup offers fans and bettors a compelling finale. The Pirates are hoping to ride Skenes’ recent dominance, while the Diamondbacks need a rebound performance from their ace.