Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes’ Dominance Put to Test Vs. Division-Leading Cubs

Published

4 weeks ago

June 13, 2025

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 3-2 by the Chicago Cubs in the opening game of the series on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.

Andrew Heaney delivered a quality start but allowed a pair of home runs and the Pirates couldn’t push across the tying run with the bases loaded in the seventh.

The Pirates (28-42) will look to even their series against the Cubs (42-27) behind Paul Skenes on Friday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 100.1 FM and AM 1020.

Weather

Overcast skies with temperatures in the low 70s. Winds E at 7-9 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (4-6, 1.88 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes took a no-decision in his last start, when he allowed one run on two hits in 7.2 innings against the Phillies at PNC Park.

The Pirates ace has allowed one run or fewer in each of his last six starts and has a miniscule 0.85 ERA (4er/42.1ip) over that dominant stretch.

Skenes ranks fifth in baseball and second in the National League with a 1.88 ERA on the season. He leads the National League with a 0.84 WHIP, a .177 batting average against and 91.0 innings pitched.

Skenes allowed three runs (three solo home runs) in 5.0 innings against the Cubs at PNC Park on May 1. In his career against the Cubs, Skenes is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five starts and has totaled 11.0-scoreless innings in two starts at Wrigley Field.

RHP Cade Horton (3-1, 4.11ERA) Will Start for the Cubs

Horton is in his first big-league season after the Cubs took him seventh overall in the 2022 draft.

The right-hander last pitched against the Tigers on Sunday and allowed four runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings and matched a career-high with six strikeouts.

Horton doesn’t walk many batters (5.3% walk rate) but opponents are hitting a healthy .273 with a .726 OPS against him.

This will be his first time facing the Pirates.

Cubs Hitters vs. Skenes

Seiya Suzuki: 3 for 11, one home run, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Ian Happ: 2 for 11, one double, two walks, six strikeouts
Michael Busch: 1 for 10, three walks, five strikeouts
Pete Crow-Armstrong: 2 for 8, one RBI, two strikeouts
Nico Hoerner: 2 for 7, one home run, one RBI, one walk
Dansby Swanson: 2 for 5, one home run, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Kyle Tucker: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Horton

Tidbits

With their loss on Thursday, the Pirates fell to 9-23 on the road this season. Only the Rockies (6-28) and White Sox (7-28) have worse records in away games this season.
Over his last 30 games dating back to May 4, Oneil Cruz has struck out 53 times in 127 plate appearances (41.7% strikeout rate). He’s struck out multiple times in 12 of his last 16 games.
Since allowing a career-high five runs against the Cardinals on Apr. 8, Paul Skenes has a 1.49 ERA (12er/72.2ip) over his last 11 starts.