Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes Faces Hunter Greene in Series Finale

Published

3 weeks ago

September 22, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell to 1-5 on their road trip after they were defeated 7-1 by the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon.

Jared Jones was tagged for six runs across five innings pitched and Billy Cook connected on his second-career home run in the top of the ninth to prevent a shutout.

The Pirates (72-83) and Reds (76-80) will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon as Paul Skenes duels Hunter Greene.

First pitch is set for 1:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Some clouds mixed with sun and temperatures in the mid 80s. Winds SW at 7-8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (10-3, 2.07 ERA)

Skenes was again dominant in his latest start. The prized rookie allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts across six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In three starts in the month of September, Skenes has has a dazzling 1.06 ERA while holding opponents to a .222 batting average and a .538 OPS.

Since making his debut against the Chicago Cubs on May 11, Skenes leads all major-league starters in ERA and is second in strikeouts per nine innings (11.29).

Skenes won both of his starts against the Reds this season and allowed one run in 12 innings pitched.

The Cincinnati Reds Will Send Out RHP Hunter Greene (9-4, 2.83 ERA)

The Reds activated Greene (right elbow soreness) off the injured list to start against the Pirates. He had been out since the middle of August.

Greene had been rolling prior to getting sidelined. In seven starts from the start of July until his injury, the right-hander was a perfect 4-0 with a miniscule 0.98 ERA.

The 25-year-old is known for his power-fastball which is accompanied by a sharp slider. He will mix in a few splitters and the very occasional curveball.

Greene faced the Pirates twice already this year and is 0-1 with a 5.32 ERA>

Reds Hitters vs. Skenes

Spencer Steer: 3 for 5, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
TF Friedl: 0 for 5, three strikeouts
Jonathan India: 0 for 5, two strikeouts
Elly De La Cruz: 2 for 4, one double, one walk
Tyler Stephenson: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Greene

Rowdy Tellez: 5 for 14, three doubles, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 3 for 11, one double, one home run, two strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 11, one home run, two RBIs, one walk, four strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 11, four walks, three strikeouts
Yasmani Grandal: 3 for 6, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
Nick Gonzales: 2 for 5, one RBI, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 5, four strikeouts
Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 4, one walk

Tidbits

In five starts since returning from the IL at the end of August, Jared Jones has a 6.15 ERA (18er/26.1ip).
Paul Skenes leads qualified rookies in ERA, strikeouts per nine innings and WHIP (0.98).
In order for the Pirates to finish better than their 76-86 record from a year ago, the Pirates will need to go 5-2 over their final seven games.