Pirates

Pirates Preview: Mets Come to Town to Face Paul Skenes

Published

7 months ago

July 5, 2024

A day after winning in the 10th, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings in the rubber match on the Fourth of July.

Martín Pérez had pitched very well over 7.1 innings and Bryan Reynolds homered but the Pirates’ offense couldn’t manage enough against Cardinals’ pitching.

The homestand continues on Friday night with the New York Mets coming to town for a four-game series.

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

Weather

Mostly cloudy skies and hot. Winds SW at 7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.06 ERA)

For the second-straight start, Skenes allowed a leadoff homer against the Braves on Saturday but settled in nicely and turned in another strong start.

Jarred Kelenic’s leadoff homer was the lone run Atlanta scored against Skenes in six innings. The rookie struck out eight batters.

Since making his debut on May 11, Skenes is fifth in baseball in ERA. He’s second in the majors with 12.04 strikeouts per nine innings.

This will be his first time facing the Mets.

The New York Mets Will Send Out RHP Luis Severino (5-2, 3.42 ERA)

The Mets signed Severino to a one-year contract as a free agent in the offseason and the move has worked out well.

The right-hander has gone at least six inning in each of his five starts in June and seven of his last eight starts overall. He went 2-0 with a 3.24 in June.

Severino allowed four runs in seven innings against the Astros in a 10-5 loss on Sunday.

In three career starts against Pittsburgh, Severino has been just about untouchable. He’s a perfect 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA.

Mets Hitters vs. Skenes

Pirates Hitters vs. Severino

Jack Suwinski: 0 for 8, two strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 7, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 7, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 3 for 6, one walk
Yasmani Grandal: 1 for 5, one RBI, one walk
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 4, one RBI, two strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 2, one home run, one RBI

Tidbits

Prior to his strong start on Thursday, Martín Pérez had an 8.44 ERA over his last six starts.
Paul Skenes is the first pitcher in MLB history to strikeout 70 batters and allow 12 runs or fewer in their first nine career starts.
The Pirates were swept by the Mets in a three-game series at Citi Field earlier in the season. New York outscored the Bucs 18-5 in the series.