Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes Gets Rubber Match vs. Cubs

Danny Demilio |

May 1, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 to even the three-game series on Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Andrew McCutchen delivered the game-winning two-run double off Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson in the seventh inning, and David Bednar converted his third save of the season.

The Pirates (12-19) will look to earn a series win over the Cubs (18-13) on Thursday in the series finale.

First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and 100.1 FM & AM 1020.

Weather

Temperatures will hit 80 degrees with mostly cloudy skies. Winds SSW at 8-10 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (3-2, 2.39 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes is fresh off a dominant start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he threw 6.1-shutout innings and struck out a season-high nine batters.

Since allowing a career-high five runs against the Cardinals on Apr. 8, Skenes has a 1.40 ERA (3er/19.1ip) over his last three starts.

Skenes has the lowest WHIP of any qualified starter in the National League and is tied for the fourth-lowest batting average against (.190). His 2.39 ERA is seventh in the NL.

The right-hander faced the Cubs four times during his rookie season and went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA against them.

RHP Colin Rea (1-0, 0.96 ERA) Will Start for the Cubs

Rea started the season in the bullpen but has been used as a starting pitcher in each of his last three appearances.

Since joining the rotation, Rea is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA and the Cubs have won all three of his starts. Over that span, opponents are slashing just .226/.268/.283 against him.

Rea has only been scored upon in two of his six total appearances to begin the season and has yet to allow multiple runs in a game.

In seven career appearances/five starts against the Pirates, Rea is 2-3 with a 6.52 ERA.

Cubs Hitters vs. Skenes

Seiya Suzuki: 2 for 9, four strikeouts
Ian Happ: 1 for 9, one double, one walk, five strikeouts
Michael Busch: 0 for 7, three walks, five strikeouts
Pete Crow-Armstrong: 2 for 6, one RBI, two strikeouts
Nico Hoerner: 2 for 5, one home run, one RBI
Dansby Swanson: 1 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Rea

Bryan Reynolds: 7 for 12, two doubles, one home run, four RBI, three strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 2 for 11, one strikeout
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 9, one walk, two strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 0 for 6, one walk, two strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 5, one double, one RBI, two strikeouts
Henry Davis: 2 for 3, one home run, two RBI, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Adam Frazier: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Ke’Bryan Hayes extended his hitting streak to 10 games in the win. His career-long is an 11-game hitting streak in 2021.
David Bednar has a 1.50 ERA (1er/6.0ip) since he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Apr. 19.
Bednar passed Felipe Vazquez for the fifth-most saves in Pirates’ history by converting his 87th on Wednesday.