MLB
The Other Side: Cardinals’ Alec Burleson Talks About ‘Solving’ Paul Skenes
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a recurring series that spotlights Pittsburgh Pirates-oriented news and notes from their opponents.
The St. Louis Cardinals pinned Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitching sensation Paul Skenes with his first career loss on Wednesday night at PNC Park in his 12th start.
The Cardinals didn’t exactly knock Skenes around as they eked out a 2-1 victory. Alec Burleson drove in the winning run with a one-out single in the ninth that was one of just four hits Skenes allowed in 8.1 innings.
Burleson was asked how he “solved” Skenes.
“He’s just a great pitcher with great stuff and you’ve got to tip your cap to him because he has pretty much shut us down twice,” Burleson, referring to Skenes pitching 6.1 scoreless innings against the Cardinals on June 11 in St. Louis in a no-decision.
“He throws 100 (mph) first of all. Then he’s got a bunch of different pitches that he locates really well. You look at guys with velo and they might not be the best at locating the baseball and he does a really good job of that. You can’t really sit on the fastball because he has too many other pitches that he can get you out with. I don’t think you solve him, you just battle him as hard as you can and hope for the best.”
Burleson and the Cardinals should see more of Skenes in upcoming seasons as part of their National League Central rivalry.
“It’s fun facing him,” Burleson said. “You always look forward to facing tough competition.”
Jim Leyland The Prophet
Todd Helton spent his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies. However, he mentioned two former Pirates managers – and ex-Rockies skippers – in his speech last Sunday when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Cooperstown.
Leyland managed Helton for only one season in 1999 but said something to the first baseman, who was 25 years old, that turned out to be prophetic.
“Kid, if you keep playing like this, you’re going to make it to the Hall of Fame,” Helton said.
Ironically, both Helton and Leyland, who managed the Pirates from 1986-96, were inducted along with Adrian Beltre and Joe Mauer.
Helton also played from 2002-09 for Clint Hurdle, who later managed the Pirates for nine seasons from 2011-19. Hurdle told Helton something early in their relationship that stuck and played a large part in Helton finishing his career with 2,519 hits and 369 home runs.
“Those of you who know Clint know he’s never been at a loss for words,” Helton said. “Over nearly 30 years since we’ve met, I have learned to pay attention to your hard-fought wisdom on and off the field. One day in Milwaukee, you told me to make it personal between me and the pitcher. It changed my perspective. It became my battle at the plate. But more importantly, thank you for helping me become a better husband and father.”
Helton also has another tie to Pittsburgh. Helton debuted in the major leagues on Aug. 2, 1997, against the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium.
Helton went 2 for 4 with a home run in a game the Pirates won 6-5. He got his first career hit with a single off Francisco Cordova in his second at-bat then later homered off Marc Wilkins.
Beating Up on The Buccos
All three new Hall of Fame players had success against the Pirates during their careers.
In 98 games, Helton hit a robust .343/.437/.584 with 18 home runs. Beltre faced the Pirates 58 times and had a .362/.416/.552 slash line and eight homers. Mauer played just 11 games against the Pirates but also did damage by hitting .356/.420/.511 with one home run.
