Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes Looks to Lead Bucs to Series Win Over Diamondbacks

Published

2 months ago

August 4, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes heads to the dugout before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

After dropping an exciting game on Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates rebounded with a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night at PNC Park.

Bryan Reynolds and Joey Bart each homered and the Pirates’ bullpen held Arizona to two runs in six innings after the game was interrupted by a rain delay.

With Paul Skenes on the mound, the Pirates (56-54) have a chance to earn a key series win against the Diamondbacks (59-52) in the series rubber match on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Mostly sunny skies with temperatures approaching 90 degrees. Winds WNW at 6-7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (6-1, 1.90 ERA)

At this point, what else can be said about Skenes that isn’t already out there?

Since making his major-league debut on May 11, Skenes leads baseball in ERA. He’s the only starting pitcher in baseball with a sub-2.00 over that stretch. Skenes also leads starters with a 33.3% strikeout rate since then.

In his last start, Skenes allowed two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts against the Houston Astros in six innings pitched.

This will be his first time facing the Diamondbacks.

The Arizona Diamondbacks Will Send Out RHP Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.53 ERA)

Nelson is coming off of his best start of the season. The right-hander threw seven-shutout innings with nine strikeouts and got the win against the Washington Nationals on Monday.

It capped off a really strong month of July for Nelson. In six appearances (five starts) he went a spotless 3-0 with a 2.41 ERA while limiting opponents to a 5.73 ERA.

Nelson throws his four-seam fastball more than half the time with a cutter and changeup as his primary secondary pitches. He also features a slider, curveball and sweeper.

Sunday will be his first time facing the Pirates.

Diamondbacks Hitters vs. Skenes

Pirates Hitters vs. Nelson

Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 3

Tidbits

Joey Bart’s .854 OPS is second among catchers with at least 140 plate appearances. He trails only the Cardinals’ Willson Contreras (.860).
The Pirates once again avoided a three-game losing streak with Saturday’s win. They haven’t lost three games in a row since May 7-10.
Paul Skenes hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a start since June 5. He’s only allowed more than two runs in two of his 13 starts and has yet to allow more than three.