Pirates Preview: Mother’s Day Rubber Match vs. Cubs

Saturday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs had a little but of everything, but it resulted in a 10-9 win for the Pirates.

Paul Skenes made his much-anticipated debut for the Pirates (18-22) and the Bucs’ offense belted five home runs against the Cubs (23-17) in the win.

The two sides will meet one more time on Sunday afternoon to settle this three-game series on Mother’s Day.

First pitch is set for 1:35 and the game will be televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Wishing all you moms a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Weather

Temperatures increasing in the 60s throughout the game and rare sunny skies over PNC Park. Winds WNW at 10 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (2-2, 4.34 ERA)

After a strong start to his season, Falter has been shaky over his past two outings.

In his last two starts, Falter has been tagged for eight runs on 12 hits in 10.1 innings pitched and has surrendered three home runs.

Prior two his last two starts, the left-hander had a 3.33 ERA through his first five starts on the year in spite of allowing six runs over four innings in his season debut.

In six prior meetings with the Cubs, Falter is 0-3 with a 10.67 ERA and has allowed six home runs in 14.1 innings.

The Chicago Cubs Will Send Out RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-3, 12.00 ERA)

The Cubs will activate Hendricks (low back strain) off the 15-day injured list to start on Sunday.

It was a brutal start to the season for Hendricks prior to getting hurt. The right-hander was charged with 28 runs on 37 hits, including eight home runs, in 21 innings pitched. Opponents compiled a 1.118 OPS against him.

Hendricks was much more successful last season, when he posted a 3.74 ERA in 24 starts with the Cubs.

The veteran has gone 9-13 with a 3.59 ERA in 29 career starts against the Pirates.

Cubs Hitters vs. Falter

• Ian Happ: 1 for 7, one double, one RBI
• Yan Gomes: 2 for 5, two home runs, two RBIs, two strikeouts
• Nico Hoerner: 2 for 5, one double, one walk
• Patrick Wisdom: 2 for 5, one walk, two strikeouts
• Cody Bellinger: 2 for 4, one double, three RBIs, one strikeout
• Seiya Suzuki: 0 for 4, two walks, one strikeout
• Christopher Morel: 2 for 3, one double, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Hendricks

• Andrew McCutchen: 9 for 41, two doubles, one home run, four RBIs, two walks, nine strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 6 for 30, one double, two triples, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, four strikeouts
• Yasmani Grandal: 3 for 19, one double, two RBIs, three walks, four strikeouts
• Rowdy Tellez: 4 for 16, one double, one home run, six strikeouts
• Connor Joe: 6 for 11, one double, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout
• Jack Suwinski: 2 for 8, one walk, one strikeout
• Michael A. Taylor: 1 for 5, one double

Tidbits

• Skenes’ seven strikeouts were the second most by a Pirates starter 21 years old or younger in their MLB debut, behind only Nick Maddox who struck out 11 in his debut at age 20.
• Seven home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates matched the most they’ve had in a game at PNC Park.
• In the win, Oneil Cruz lined a 119.7 mph double, the second-hardest hit ball in MLB this year behind a 119.9 mph home run off the bat of the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton.

Links

Perrotto: ‘Skenesmas’ Turns Into Baseball Bizarro World

Pirates Prospect Watch: Turtles in Bradenton, Altoona

Paul Skenes ‘Effectively Wild’ in Major League Debut

Pirates’ Offense Finally Breaks Out in Paul Skenes’ Major-League Debut

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