Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes Gets Chance for Unlikely Series Win

Published

3 weeks ago

May 28, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) walks to the bull pen in before a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

The Pittsburgh Pirates erased a six-run deficit by scoring nine unanswered runs to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-6 on Tuesday night.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa tied the game with a bases-clearing double in the eighth and Bryan Reynolds provided the big swing later in the inning with a go-ahead three-run home run.

Thanks to the big comeback, the Pirates (20-36) have a chance at a series win over the Diamondbacks (27-28) on Wednesday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 3:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 100.1 FM & AM 1020.

Weather

Chase Field is protected by a roof so weather will not be a factor this series.

RHP Paul Skenes (3-5, 2.36 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes held the Brewers to one run on four hits with eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings on Friday night at PNC Park.

The Pirates ace has allowed one run in three consecutive starts and has a 1.35 ERA (3er/20.0ip) during that stretch.

In eight starts dating back to Apr. 14, Skenes has a 1.97 ERA (11er/50.1ip) and has limited opponents to only 35 hits. However, the Pirates are only 3-5 in those starts.

Skenes faced the Diamondbacks once last season and allowed two runs in 5.1 innings.

RHP Zac Gallen (3-6, 5.25 ERA) Will Start for the Diamondbacks

It’s been a rough go of late for the usually-effective Gallen, who has received Cy Young consideration three times in his career.

Over his last three starts, the right-hander has a 7.71 ERA (14er/16.1ip) and has yielded four home runs.

Gallen leads the National League with 29 walks while his walk rate has jumped to a career-worst 10.9%. Opponents are slugging .432 against him, which is also the worst mark of his career.

Gallen has faced the Pirates five times and is 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA.

Diamondbacks Hitters vs. Skenes

Corbin Carroll: 2 for 3, one triple
Ketel Marte: 0 for 3, one RBI
Alek Thomas: 1 for 2

Pirates Hitters vs. Gallen

Joey Bart: 3 for 11, one walk, four strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 10, one RBI, two walks, three strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 8, one double, three RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Adam Frazier: 3 for 6, two walks, one strikeout
Tommy Pham: 2 for 6, one double, one home run, one RBI, two walks
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 5, two strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 3 for 4, one double, one RBI, two walks
Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 3
Nick Solak: 1 for 3
Jared Triolo: 1 for 3, one double, one strikeout
Henry Davis: 0 for 3

Tidbits

Prior to Tuesday’s win, the Pirates were 0-27 when trailing by two or more runs at any point in a game this season.
Paul Skenes is looking for his first win since Apr. 25. He’s 0-3 since then with a 2.32 ERA in five starts.
Andrew McCutchen enters Wednesday’s game needing one more hit to tie Arky Vaughan for ninth place on the franchise all-time hit list with 1,709.