Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes Looks to Snap Skid in Final Game of Road Trip

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their fourth game in a row when they were blanked 7-0 by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

Thomas Harrington struggled in his MLB debut while former Pirates’ draft pick Shane Baz set a career-high with 10 strikeouts in 6.0 shutout innings.

Paul Skenes will be on the mound for the Pirates (1-5) against the Rays (4-1) as they look to end their seven-game road trip with a win.

First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 100.1 FM & AM 1020.

Weather

Hot and sunny. Temperatures in the low-90s with winds SE-SSE at 10-12 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (0-0, 3.38 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes will make his second start of the season after getting the ball for the Pirates on Opening Day in Miami.

The right-hander was charged with two runs on three hits in 5.1 innings. He walked a pair of batters, struck out seven, and took a no-decision in the Pirates’ 5-4 loss.

The reigning Rookie of the Year is coming off of a historic first season in which he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 23 starts.

Skenes faced the Rays once last season and allowed one run with nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings. He got a no-decision in that game.

RHP Ryan Pepiot (0-0, 1.50 ERA) Will Start for the Rays

Like Skenes with the Pirates, Pepiot was the Rays’ starting pitcher for their season opener against the Colorado Rockies.

It was a strong start for the 27-year-old, who held Colorado to one run in 6.0 innings and struck out eight batters against one walk.

This is the second season for Pepiot in a Rays’ uniform after he was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow trade. In 26 starts last season, he went 8-8 with a 3.60 ERA.

Pepiot has faced the Pirates twice in his career, one of which was his MLB debut at PNC Park. In 6.1 innings, he’s allowed two runs on four hits and struck out six.

Rays Hitters vs. Skenes

Christopher Morel: 1 for 4, one strikeout
Yandy Díaz: 2 for 3, one home run, one RBI
Jonny DeLuca: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Taylor Walls: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Pepiot

Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 4, one RBI
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 3, one double, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

Tuesday’s loss was the first game in which the Pirates failed to record a stolen base. They still lead MLB with 17 steals (Padres are second with 13).
The Pirates have scored just one run in their last 22 innings dating back to Sunday’s game against the Marlins. Their .189 team batting average is second-worst in the National League (Mets: .179).
In five career inter-league starts, Skenes is a perfect 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.