Pirates poised to become a part of Justin Verlander's final chapter in legendary career

Having been officially eliminated from playoff contention last week, there's not much left for the Pittsburgh Pirates to play for in 2026. They are just one win away from securing their first winning season since 2018, but that's purely a ceremonial distinction now that October is once again out of reach.

However, before they head into a long offseason that will be defined by uncertainty and a potential lockout, they will get to take part in one more iconic moment. Heading to Detroit for the final weekend of the season, the Bucs will soon be the answer to a trivia question as the opposing team during Justin Verlander's final start.

Yes, the future Hall of Famer will take the mound in the second game of the series on Saturday, ending his legendary career where it all began. There's not much for either side to play for — the Tigers have been out of the running for a playoff spot for a while — but is a must-see affair for anyone who wants the chance to celebrate one of the best pitchers of this generation.

Pirates fans should revel in the chance to celebrate Justin Verlander's legendary career

Verlander, who hasn't pitched since March 30 due to hip inflammation and a hamstring strain, confirmed earlier this summer that he would officially retire after the 2026 campaign. His accolades are as numerous as they are impressive, including three Cy Young awards, two World Series rings, two ERA titles, and even a MVP trophy.

He's faced the Pirates ten times in his career (all in the regular season), including twice last year with the Giants; in those outings, he's logged a 3.08 ERA and two complete games (one shutout). It's somewhat poetic that they'll be his final opponent, since Verlander was longtime teammates with Bucs skipper Don Kelly in Detroit. They were both on the 2012 team that made the World Series and played together for six years on the Tigers.

The Pirates haven't yet announced their probable pitchers for the series, but the expectation is they'll continue to fill that particular spot in the rotation by countering Verlander with a bullpen game. It's a shame that Paul Skenes won't be available to pitch (he's due to start the final home game of the season against the Cardinals) considering that Kelly has frequently compared his ace right-hander to the Tigers legend.

Don't expect Verlander's start to last very long — he hasn't pitched in six months and didn't participate in a rehab assignment — but it should be a joyous celebration of baseball all game long. Enjoy tuning in before the Pirates prepare for a wildly important offseason.

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