Pirates

Pirates Preview: Sizzling Paul Skenes Takes Hot Stretch to Atlanta

Published

7 months ago

June 29, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates put up a lifeless performance on Friday night and fell 6-1 to the Atlanta Brave at Truist Park.

Martín Pérez struggled in his return from the injured list. Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 24 games but the Pirates (39-42) managed only one run on a Ke’Bryan Hayes double in the ninth.

The Pirates will try and bounce back against the Braves (45-35) on Saturday behind Paul Skenes.

First pitch is set for 4:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Temperatures in the 80s with a slight chance for some rain around first pitch. Winds W at 8-9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.14 ERA)

Skenes is coming off yet another strong start his last time out. In Sunday, he held the Rays to one run across seven innings pitched and punched out eight.

The star rookie has allowed just a pair of runs in 19.1 innings over his last three starts — 0.93 ERA.

Since making his debut on May 11, Skenes is fifth in baseball with 11.85 strikeouts per nine. He’s sixth in the National League in ERA and in FIP (2.50).

This will be his first time facing Atlanta. He has a 0.98 ERA in three starts on the road this season.

The Atlanta Braves Will Send Out LHP Max Fried (7-3, 3.00 ERA)

Fried has been particularly effective over his last six starts with a 4-1 record and a 2.01 ERA.

In his last start against the Yankees in New York, Fried allowed one run on six hits in six innings pitched. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out four.

The left-hander has already thrown a pair of complete games this season and is averaging six innings per start.

Fried has faced the Pirates six times in his career and is 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA.

Braves Hitters vs. Skenes

Pirates Hitters vs. Fried

Bryan Reynolds: 6 for 17, one double, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 17, two walks, seven strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 4 for 12, two RBIs, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 5, one strikeout
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Jason Delay: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts

Tidbits

Bryan Reynolds’ 24-game hitting streak ties Maury Wills for the longest by a Pirates’ switch hitter since 1901.
Ke’Bryan Hayes snapped an 0-for-18 skid with a fifth inning single on Friday. He later doubled home the Pirates’ lone run, giving him his first multi-hit game since June 6.
The Pirates have not won a series in Atlanta since 2015 and are 6-19 against the Braves on the road since then.