Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Paul Skenes and Bucs Salvage Series?

Published

1 month ago

August 28, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated by the Chicago Cubs for the second-straight night, falling 9-5 on Tuesday.

Jared Jones returned from the injured list but looked rusty. The rookie right-hander allowed five runs and a pair of home runs in four innings in his first start with the Pirates since early July.

It’ll be another rookie on the mound in the series finale as Paul Skenes toes the rubber for the Pirates (62-70) as they look to salvage the series against the Cubs (67-66).

First pitch is set for 12:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

It’s gonna be another hot one with sunny skies and temperatures again creeping into the 90s. Winds W-WNW at 6-7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (8-2, 2.16 ERA)

Skenes was dominant in his last start, holding the Cincinnati Reds scoreless with nine strikeouts across six innings pitched.

Since he made his debut against these Cubs on May 11, Skenes leads major-league starting pitchers in ERA and is second with a 32.5 strikeout percentage.

Among qualified rookies, Skenes is first in ERA, WHIP (0.94) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.25).

Skenes’ first two starts of his career came against the Pirates. Including six no-hit innings at Wrigley, he allowed three runs and struck out 18 in 10 innings.

The Chicago Cubs Will Send Out RHP Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.33 ERA)

The 2024 season has been a struggle for the veteran Hendricks, though he has been better of late. In three starts this month, Hendricks has posted a 3.45 ERA.

Opponents have feasted off of Hendricks this season to the tune of a .292 batting average. He’s surrendered 19 home runs in 101 innings, already six more than he did last year across 134 innings.

Hendricks two primary pitches are his sinker and changeup, which he utilizes equally. He also throws a curveball and a four-seam fastball.

The lifelong Cub has plenty of experience against the Pirates. In 31 career starts, he’s 9-14 with a 3.81 ERA. In two starts against Pittsburgh this year, Hendricks has allowed nine runs (eight earned) in on 13 hits in 9.2 innings.

Cubs Hitters vs. Skenes

Mike Tacuhman: 1 for 6, one double, four strikeouts
Ian Happ: 0 for 4, three strikeouts
Seiya Suzuki: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
Cody Bellinger: 0 for 3, one walk, one strikeout
Isaac Paredes: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Nico Hoerner: 1 for 1, one home run, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Hendricks

Bryan Reynolds: 7 for 36, one double, two triples, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, five strikeout
Yasmani Grandal: 5 for 22, one double, five RBIs, three walks, four strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 6 for 20, one double, one home run, two RBIs, six strikeouts
Connor Joe: 8 for 15, one double, one RBI, three walks, two strikeouts
Billy McKinney: 3 for 8, one double, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 2 for 5, one home run, three RBIs, two walks, two strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 5, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 5, one double
Alika Williams: 1 for 3, one double

Tidbits

Oneil Cruz went 4 for 4 with a sacrifice fly and two RBIs. He’s reached base safely in 19-straight games and extended his hitting streak to eight games.
With four more strikeouts from Jones in the loss, he’s up to 102 on the season. He and Skenes became the second pair of rookie pitchers in Pirates’ history to both record at least 100 strikeouts in the same season.
The Cubs have scored 27 runs through the first two games of the series. The Pirates have been outscored 136-99 in the month of August and have a 7-17 record.