Spring Training Gameday 10: Luis Ortiz starts, Paul Skenes to appear against Tampa Bay

Paul Skenes scheduled to make his second appearance of the Spring

Photo Credit: WTM

After losing to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, the Pirates will face another AL East team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Luis Ortiz is expected to make the start for the Pirates as he continues to push for one of the open rotation spots.

Following him up will be former first-overall pick Paul Skenes, who will make his second appearance of the Spring.

The Rays are expected to send Aaron Civale out to the bump. It’s the second time the two teams will face each other this month, with the Pirates coming out ahead the first time.

In that game, the Pirates hit three home runs, one of which was a grand slam by Gilberto Celestino.

First pitch is expected at 1:05 pm ET.

Pirates Lineup

DH - Oneil Cruz

3B - Jared Triolo

CF - Jack Suwinski

C - Henry Davis

2B - Nick Gonzales

LF - Billy McKinney

RF - Canaan Smith-Njigba

1B - Jake Lamb

SS - Alika Williams

Expected Pitchers

Luis Ortiz

Paul Skenes

Kyle Nicolas

Bubba Chandler

Hunter Stratton

Connor Sadzeck

Yesterday’s Feature

Since we are a little more than a week into Spring Training, I reviewed some observations from the games for the Pirates.

Spring Training first week impressions: Where are the games at?

Today’s Feature

It’s Monday, so that means another edition of the Weekly Mailbag. We go over the rotation competition, Greensboro as a long term affiliate and what to do if Dauri Moreta is out for an extended period of time.

Weekly Mailbag: Rotation competition, Greensboro as affiliate, who steps up in bullpen?