Pirates

Pirates Preview: Paul Skenes Will Look to Shake Off Rare Rough Start

Published

3 days ago

April 14, 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’ struggling offense was completely overmatched by Hunter Greene and the Cincinnati Reds in a 4-0 loss on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

The Pirates recorded only two hits and the final 23 batters they sent to the plate were retired in another abysmal performance offensively.

On Monday, the Pirates (5-11) return home for the start of a seven-game homestand beginning with the Washington Nationals (6-9) on Monday night. Paul Skenes will be on the mound, but it won’t matter if the Pirates cant score.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh as well as 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Cloudy skies with a slight chance of rain around first pitch. Temperatures in the upper-60s with winds WSW at 9-10 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (1-1, 3.44 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes had a rare poor start in his last appearance when he allowed a career-high five runs in 6.0 innings pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals last week.

Through his first two starts of the season, Skenes had only been charged with two earned runs in 12.1 innings.

While there’s no reason to panic, Skenes’ strikeout rate has dropped from 33.1% in 2024 to 28.6% this season. Still, his 1.47 xERA is first among starting pitchers.

This will be his first time facing the Nationals.

RHP Jake Irvin (0-0, 5.63 ERA) Will Start for the Nationals

Irvin last pitched on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and allowed four runs on four hits in 6.0 innings.

It’s been a rough start to the year for the right-hander, who has been plagued by the long ball. In his first three starts, a total of 16.0 innings, Irvin has already allowed four home runs.

Last season, Irvin led baseball by making 33 starts. He finished with a 10-14 record and a 4.41 ERA.

Irvin faced the Pirates last season at PNC Park in September. He allowed six runs in 5.0 innings and took the loss in Pittsburgh’s 9-4 win.

Nationals Hitters vs. Skenes

Amed Rosario: 1 for 2, one strikeout
Josh Bell: 0 for 1, two walks, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Irvin

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one RBI
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 2, one double, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

In their three games against the Reds this weekend, the Pirates managed a total of 10 hits and batted .112 as a team (10 for 89).
Entering play on Monday, the Pirates rank last in MLB in batting average (.184), slugging percentage (.290) and OPS (.563).
The Pirates have already used 33 players this season, which is tied with the Atlanta Braves for the most of any team.