Gameday 46: Paul Skenes makes second career start

Skenes on the mound to face the Cubs for second time in two starts.

Photo Credit: Ryan Palencer

While his fastball wasn’t jumping quite as much as usual, Jared Jones pitched six innings, allowing three runs while walking about seven, picking up his third win of the season.

Edward Olivares hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and the Pirates never looked back, despite making it harder than it probably should have been. Nick Gonzales hit his second home run with the Pirates while Bryan Reynolds and Yasmani Grandal also drove in runs for the road team.

Now up 1-0 in a four-game series, the Pirates will send out former first-overall pick Paul Skenes to make his second career major league start, both of which will have been against the Cubs.

He will face Kyle Hendricks, with the game expected to start at 2:20 pm ET.

Pirates Lineup

DH - Andrew McCutchen

LF - Bryan Reynolds

SS - Oneil Cruz

RF - Connor Joe

2B - Nick Gonzales

CF - Jack Suwinski

C - Yasmani Grandal

1B - Rowdy Tellez

3B - Jared Triolo

Cubs Lineup

DH - Mike Tauchman

LF - Ian Happ

RF - Cody Bellinger

3B - Christopher Morel

1B - Michael Busch

SS - Miles Mastrobuoni

2B - Nick Madrigal

CF - Pete Crow-Armstrong

C - Miguel Amaya

Pitching Matchup

PIT - Paul Skenes (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4 IP, 2 BB, 7 K)

CHC - Kyle Hendricks (0-3, 10.04 ERA, 26 IP, 11 BB, 21 K)

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Yesterday’s Feature

Yesterday we looked at some relievers that are having good starts to the 2024 season in the Pirates’ system.

Pirates' minor league relievers off to a good start

Today’s Feature

Garret Forrester is at Bradenton not only adjusting to professional pitching but also to a new position. I checked in on his progress as a catcher and how he has looked.