PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates head into another important series against the San Diego Padres with a few changes to their lineup.
The Pirates made three big alterations to their lineup ahead of the series opener vs. the Padres at Petco Park on Aug. 24, as they try and get their first win on the west coast road trip after getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Nick Gonzales bats leadoff and serves as designated hitter for just the second time this season , first doing so in the 5-4 loss to the Dodgers on Aug. 21.
Oneil Cruz returns to the lineup in center field and bats fourth, after not starting in the 4-0 loss to the Dodgers last game on Aug. 23, while first baseman Spencer Horwitz hits eighth for just the third time in 2026.
The Pirates are looking to get the most out of their best players and having Gonzales DH looks like the best way to do that.
Gonzales has hit .307/.365/.397 for an OPS of .762 in 123 games, with 142 hits, 22 doubles, six home runs, 55 RBI and 33 walks to 85 strikeouts.
Aug 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales (3) hits a RBI single in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He has the fifth-best batting average and the 21st-best on-base percentage in baseball, while his 142 hits rank tied for 10th-most in baseball this season.
Gonzales has struggled defensively, particularly at third base, where he's started 92 of 99 games played in 2026.
His -14 defensive runs saved (DRS) and his -11 outs above average (OAA) rank as the worst and second-worst marks of any third baseman in baseball.
Keeping him at designated hitter is a smart move for the Pirates, who get the most out of his bat and also prevent him from struggling in the field.
The Pirates are being careful with Cruz after he came off the 60-day injured list a week ago on Aug. 17 from his left hand fracture.
Cruz has been solid since returning , with two home runs , a RBI-single and a two-run triple, each coming in the four games that he's played.
Aug 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (15) hits an RBI triple during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Pirates held him out of the last game, as general manager Ben Cherington said that Cruz won't play every game, as they try and manage his residual pain/swelling and avoid serious hurting him.
Horwitz has struggled massively at the plate since coming back from his left hamstring injury/concussion on Aug. 2.
He is hitting .127/.226/.145 for an OPS of .371, compared to his All-Star calliber-hitting prior to his injury, .280/.386/.455 for an OPS of .841.
The Padres also have left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray starting against the Pirates and Horwitz has historically struggled against southpaws, batting .212/.333/.269 for an OPS of .602 this season, which sees him drop to eighth in the lineup.
| Player |
Position |
Batting Side |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Gonzales |
Designated Hitter |
Right |
| Esmerlyn Valdez |
Right Field |
Right |
| Left Field |
Switch |
|
| Oneil Cruz |
Center Field |
Left |
| Rafael Flores Jr. |
Catcher |
Right |
| Second Base |
Left |
|
| Third Base |
Right |
|
| Spencer Horwitz |
First Base |
Left |
| Shortstop |
Right |
This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/pirates/onsi as Three Things to Know About Pirates Lineup Change vs. Padres .
