Pirates Series Takeaways: Skenes One of a Kind, Cruz Maturity, Cutch in Texas
Every so often, I’m reminded just how rare it is to see someone like Paul Skenes. That was the case again in the three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field — and the right-hander didn’t even take the mound.
The reason? What Skenes did as a rookie, not to mention for pretty much his entire big-league career to date, is almost never seen.
What I mean by that is there were almost no growing pains for Skenes once he was promoted to the Pirates after only 34 innings in the minor leagues. There was never a start where you’d walk away and say, ‘Man, he didn’t look good tonight.’
His “worst” start as a rookie came in outing No. 15 against the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in which he allowed four runs but went six innings, only walked one and struck out eight. Or maybe it was the first start of his career when he allowed three runs in four innings against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, but we all know he pitched better than that line indicates.
But Skenes is one of a kind. A pair of current Pirates rookies experienced some growing pains in Texas. Shortstop Konnor Griffin went hitless in 11 at-bats and struck out four times. He’s now hitting .182 to begin his big-league career.
Bubba Chandler took the loss in Thursday’s rubber match after allowing six runs and walking three batters in four innings. His ERA ballooned to 4.88.
Just keep in mind — this is what happens to most rookies. Unless you’re Skenes, development is not linear. I have a feeling Griffin and Chandler will be just fine.
Here are a couple more takeaways from a series loss in the Lone Star State.
Another Sign of Cruz Maturity
It’s been a heck of a start to the season for Oneil Cruz, who continued to impress in his team’s latest series.
Cruz hit one of the more unique home runs you’ll ever see in Wednesday’s win, when he hit a mammoth blast that bounced off the very top of the foul pole to blow the game open for the Pirates.
But it’s what led up to the Cruz home run that really stood out to me. Entering the at-bat in the top of the ninth, the Pirates’ center fielder misplayed a ball that dropped in front of him. It took Cruz a while to break in and the ball landed safely on the ground before bouncing into his glove.
At the plate, Cruz had gone 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and a caught stealing. In past years, we very well could’ve seen Cruz mope , be hard on himself and carry over his struggles to his final at-bat.
But instead, Cruz flushed the miscues and gave the Pirates some important insurance with his seventh home run of the season, and already his fourth off a left-hander. As a cherry on top, Cruz homered once again on Thursday. His eight home runs are tied for fifth in MLB.
Cowboy Cutch
It’s weird to see Andrew McCutchen in a Texas Rangers uniform, especially at this point of his career.
McCutchen didn’t start any of the three games against the Pirates but was used twice as an in-game replacement and went 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Would the Pirates be better with McCutchen on the team right now? Doubtful. But can you still feel a little uneasy about how everything developed this offseason? Absolutely.
McCutchen met with the media on-hand in Arlington. He didn’t say it outright, but you can tell he was disappointed and upset — probably even angry — that he’s not wearing a black and gold uniform right now.
The Pirates made a decision. They were in a tough spot but did what they felt was best to help the team win. Just goes to show you how the business side of this sport works.
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