Pirates

Pirates Preview: Jones, Skenes Handle Doubleheader in Detroit

Published

8 months ago

May 29, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not played since Sunday when they lost 8-1 to the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park.

The Pirates (25-29) had an off day on Monday and their game against the Detroit Tigers (26-27) on Tuesday night was rained out.

The two teams will play a straight doubleheader on Wednesday with the Pirates’ two prized rookies making the starts.

The first game will begin at 12:40 ET and the second game starts at 4:10 et. Both will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Some clouds should make way to mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s. Winds N at 7-8 mph and picking up slightly as the day continues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Jared Jones (3-4, 3.05 ERA) In Game One

Jones twirled another quality start in his last outing against the Giants at PNC Park, when he threw six innings and allowed three runs.

The right-hander already has seven quality starts this season, which is the most among rookies and two shy of the MLB lead.

Jones is one of 14 qualified starters with a sub-1.00 WHIP (0.97) and he has the third-most strikeouts for a rookie pitcher with 68.

He’s never faced the Tigers.

The Detroit Tigers Will Send Out LHP Tarik Skubal (6-1, 2.25 ERA) In Game One

Skubal is one of the early frontrunners for the American League Cy Young with a terrific season to date.

He leads the American League with a 0.85 WHIP and ranks eighth in baseball with a 2.25 ERA. Skubal has held opponents to a .187 batting average.

Though he’s been excellent s0 far this year, Skubal is coming off of his worst start of the year in which he allowed four runs in five innings against the Royals.

In three previous appearances against the Pirates, Skubal is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA.

Tigers Hitters vs. Jones

Pirates Hitters vs. Skubal

Edward Olivares: 5 for 14, two doubles, one home run, four RBIs, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 10, four strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 6, one walk, two strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 5, two strikeouts
Connor Joe: 1 for 3

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (1-0, 2.25 ERA) In Game Two

Skenes didn’t have his typical swing and miss start against the Giants last week, but he still threw six-strong innings while allowing one run.

His latest start cam on the heels of throwing six n0-hit innings with 11 strikeouts against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Skenes moved up to the top prospect in baseball according to ESPN and ranks No. 2 on MLB Pipeline.

The rookie right-hander is celebrating his 22nd birthday on Wednesday.

The Detroit Tigers Will Send Out RHP Keider Montero (MLB Debut) In Game Two

The Tigers will promote Montero for his MLB debut in the second game of the doubleheader.

This year in Triple-A, the 23-year-oldis 0-1 with a 4.40 ERA and has struck out 36 batters in 30.2 innings pitched.

MLB Pipeline has the right-hander as the Tigers’ No. 7 prospect. The 6-foot-1 righty has a plus curveball and above-average fastball and slider. He also will mix in some changeups.

Tigers Hitters vs. Skenes

Pirates Hitters vs. Montero

Tidbits

Andrew McCutchen ranks fourth in the National League with a .978 OPS since May 11.
McCutchen needs one more hit for 1,600 in his career with the Pirates.
Only five players have more RBIs since Nick Gonzales’ 14 since May 10.