Gameday 40: Paul Skenes makes his major league debut vs the Cubs
Former first overall pick makes debut in Pittsburgh
Jared Jones may not have had the best game, allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out four in six innings, but when he left the game, the Cubs were only 3-2 in favor of them.
The Pirates didn’t score again, and the Cubs put up four on Hunter Stratton, with the score ending up being 7-2 in favor of the road team.
Now, all attention shifts to Paul Skenes, the top pitching prospect in baseball and the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, as he makes his major league debut.
Skenes has posted an ERA of under one in seven starts with Triple-A Indianapolis and has struck out 45 batters in 27.1 innings pitched.
First pitch is expected around 4:05 pm ET.
Pirates Lineup
DH - Andrew McCutchen
LF - Bryan Reynolds
1B - Connor Joe
SS - Oneil Cruz
RF - Edward Olivares
2B - Nick Gonzales
C - Yasmani Grandal
3B - Jared Triolo
CF - Michael A. Taylor
Cubs Lineup
DH - Mike Tauchman
RF - Seiya Suzuki
CF - Cody Bellinger
3B - Christopher Morel
LF - Ian Happ
SS - Nico Hoerner
1B - Michael Busch
2B - Miles Mastrobuoni
C - Yan Gomes
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Paul Skenes (Major League Debut)
CHC - Justin Steele (0-0, 0.96 ERA, 9.1 IP, 2 BB, 8 K)
Yesterday’s Feature
Ethan wrote about the service time implications of Paul Skenes getting promoted on the day that he did.
Today’s Feature
Everyone deals with pressure differently, Ryan Palencer takes a look at how Pauls Skenes deals with it through mental toughness.
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Only the Pirates could turn the biggest debut in their history, coupled with a breakout from their little league hitters, into an embarrassing clown show in a matter of minutes. Perfect illustration of how Skenes and Jones can’t by themselves turn the Cherington farce into a major league team.
Hayes to IL, Alika back.