Gameday 133: Paul Skenes on the mound, looking to avoid a sweep against Cubs
Paul Skenes vs Kyle Hendricks
After a big series win over the weekend against the Reds, the Pirates have fallen flat this week, losing twice in a row in mostly uncompetitive games with the Reds.
A couple of runs late in the game brought the score close, but the Cubs put up nine runs in a two-inning span to give them a commanding lead.
The Pirates will send out Paul Skenes, who will face the Cubs for the third time this season. He picked up his first career win the last time he played the Cubs after striking out 11 in six no-hit innings.
Today will mark the first time Oneil Cruz will play center field. It was announced earlier in the week he’d be moving to the outfield, but he had been the designated hitter in the first two games of the series.
First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 pm ET.
Pirates Lineup
SS - Isiah Kiner-Falefa
DH - Bryan Reynolds
CF - Oneil Cruz
1B - Rowdy Tellez
RF - Connor Joe
LF - Billy McKinney
C - Yasmani Grandal
3B - Jared Triolo
2B - Alika Williams
Cubs Lineup
LF - Ian Happ
1B - Michael Busch
DH - Seiya Suzuki
RF - Cody Bellinger
3B - Isaac Paredes
2B - Nico Hoerner
SS - Dansby Swanson
CF - Pete Crow-Armstrong
C - Christian Bethancourt
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Paul Skenes (8-2, 2.16 ERA, 104 IP, 25 BB, 130 K)
CHC - Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.33 ERA, 101 IP, 29 BB, 67 K)
Today’s Feature
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If Cruz would've just lollygagged, he wouldn't have gotten hit by it! How the turntables! Reynolds should've stole third, so Cruz could've stole second, and none of it would've happened.
The bizarre obsession with Joe, Triolo and Williams is a major handicap. And sitting BDLC just when he finally shows some signs of life is so Shelton.