Pirates

Pirates Preview: Skenes, Gilbert Make for Exciting Pitching Matchup

Published

2 months ago

August 16, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their 10th game in a row after falling 8-2 to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

Mitch Keller was roughed up while former Pirates pitcher Martín Pérez struck out a season-high eight batters in his third start since he was traded to the Padres.

After a day off to try and reset on Thursday, the Pirates (56-64) will look to stop their major slide against the Seattle Mariners (63-59) in an intriguing pitching matchup at PNC Park on Friday night.

First pitch is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on Apple TV.

Weather

Chance of rain showers later in the game. Temperatures in the upper-70s with winds SSE at 8-9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (6-2, 2.25 ERA)

Skenes hasn’t quite looked himself of late. Over his last two starts, the right-hander has allowed six runs in 11.1 innings.

Still, Skenes is among the best of the best. He leads all qualified rookies in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings (11.25).

Since making his debut on May 11, Skenes leads all starters in ERA. He’s second in strikeout rate (32.3%) and third in WHIP (0.96).

This will be his first time facing the Mariners. In three career interleague starts, the prized rookie is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA.

The Seattle Mariners Will Send Out RHP Logan Gilbert (7-8, 2.91 ERA)

Gilbert, an All-Star for the first time this year, is in the midst of a breakout season in his fourth year with with the Mariners.

The 27-year-old leads baseball with a 0.873 WHIP. He possesses exceptional control, having only walked 27 batters in 154.2 innings. Opponents have hit just .195 against him on the year with a .576 OPS.

Gilbert evenly distributes his slider and four-seamer as the two main pitches in his arsenal. He also throws a splitter, cutter and curveball.

He’s never pitched against the Pirates.

Mariners Hitters vs. Skenes

Randy Arozarena: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Gilbert

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 12, three RBIs, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 9, one double, three strikeouts
Bryan De La Cruz: 0 for 3
Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 3, three strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Tidbits

The Pirates are looking to avoid their first 11-game losing streak since they dropped 12 in a row from June 6-18 in 2010.
In addition to losing 10 in a row, the Pirates have lost 12 of their last 13 games and are 1-11 in the month of August.
Andrew McCutchen brings a season0long 10-game hitting streak back with him to PNC Park. He’s batting .325 over that span and has upped his season OPS by 34 points.