Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes, Bucs Play Reds for First Time This Season

Published

3 months ago

June 17, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were 8-2 victors over the Colorado Rockies in the rubber game at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon.

Rowdy Tellez had three hits and was one of six Pirates with a multi-hit performance and Jason Delay drove in three with a double to break the game open in the sixth.

The Pirates (34-37) return home to PNC Park to play the Cincinnati Reds (34-37) for the first time this season on Monday night.

First pitch is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Hot, hot, hot. Sunny skies with temperatures in the 90’s and winds S-SW at 6-7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (3-0, 2.43 ERA)

Skenes again impressed in his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

At Busch Stadium, the rookie right-hander scattered five hits against the Cardinals across 6.1 scoreless innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight.

Since throwing four innings in his debut, Skenes has gone at least five innings in each of his five starts and has completed six innings four times.

He’s never faced the Cardinals.

The Cincinnati Reds Will Send Out RHP Carson Spiers (0-0, 2.33 ERA)

Skenes will duel a fellow rookie in Spiers, who will be making his first start of the season and the third of his career.

The Reds have used Spiers as a bulk reliver this season Over his last four appearances, the right-hander has a 1.17 ERA and has held opponents to a .550 OPS.

He was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on June 9. With Louisville this season, Spiers is 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in nine appearances/eight starts.

Though he’s already faced the three other teams in the division, this will be his first time facing Pittsburgh.

Reds Hitters vs. Skenes

Pirates Hitters vs. Spiers

Tidbits

Since making his MLB debut on May 11, Skenes’ 35.4% strikeout rate is the third-highest rate in baseball.
Bryan Reynolds’ 14-game hitting streak is the longest active streak in the majors. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman went 0 for 4 on Sunday, snapping his 16-game hitting streak.
The Reds are one of three National League teams the Pirates have yet to face this season along with the Padres and Diamondbacks.