Aug 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates beginning pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches towards the Chicago Cubs throughout the fourth inning at PNC Park. Obligatory Credit score: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports activities Rookie sensation Paul Skenes faces the Chicago Cubs for the fourth time this season when he takes the mound for the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday evening.
Every of the right-hander’s first two profession begins got here towards Chicago, together with the memorable second one during which he struck out 11 in six no-hit innings at Wrigley Area earlier than being eliminated.
His most up-to-date begin towards the Cubs was final Wednesday, when he left with a lead earlier than the Cubs rallied for 11 runs over the ultimate three innings to file a 14-10 victory.
That was a part of a three-game collection during which Chicago scored 41 runs whereas sweeping the Pirates. Pittsburgh began this three-game set a lot better by scoring 5 runs over the ultimate two innings on Monday to submit a 5-3 win.
Bryan Reynolds hit a tying three-run homer within the eighth inning and Andrew McCutchen hit the go-ahead shot two batters later because the Pirates halted Chicago’s season-best six-game profitable streak.
“This is the reason you do not quit,” stated McCutchen, who prolonged his hitting streak to 14 begins. “It began with the blokes earlier than me, guys getting on. … Bryan hit a giant three-run homer to tie it up. Yeah, I put a very good swing on the ball and received it out. Good recreation, good win.”
Pittsburgh is simply 8-19 over a tough stretch, however there’s at all times hope when Skenes takes the mound.
The 22-year-old who began the All-Star Sport for the Nationwide League has lived as much as his billing as among the best pitching prospects in current baseball historical past.
Skenes (8-2, 2.23 ERA) has struck out 136 batters in 109 innings and has restricted hitters to a .201 batting common.
“Most likely my capability to lock in,” Skenes stated of his largest attribute. “Day by day, simply coming in and getting my work finished. I do not suppose that is one thing folks can see, however simply getting right here and getting high quality work in each single day, each now and within the offseason. That is the largest factor that helps me.”
Skenes is battling San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill for NL Rookie of the Yr honors. He’s 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his three outings towards the Cubs.
Chicago’s Nico Hoerner (2-for-3) homered towards Skenes, whereas Michael Busch and Isaac Paredes are each 0-for-5 towards him.
Chicago missed out on a giant alternative with Monday’s collapse — Jorge Lopez served up each homers — because it fell 3 1/2 video games behind the Atlanta Braves within the battle for the NL’s third wild-card spot. The New York Mets are a half-game behind the Braves.
The Cubs had gained 9 of 10 video games earlier than the loss and scored 99 runs throughout that span. However Dansby Swanson’s solo homer and Ian Happ’s two-run triple have been all they may muster on Monday.
Chicago was in management by seven shutout innings from right-hander Jameson Taillon. The choice to tug him after 89 pitches in favor of Lopez did not pan out.
“He did not have a very good evening (Monday),” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell stated of Lopez. “However that was the choice, and it was a simple resolution.”
Proper-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.75) will begin Tuesday. Counsell stated after Monday’s recreation that left-hander Justin Steele was scratched on account of elbow soreness.
The Pirates in all probability are OK with that, as they torched Hendricks for six runs and eight hits over 1 2/3 innings final Wednesday.
Hendricks, 34, is 9-14 with a 4.09 ERA in 32 profession begins towards Pittsburgh. He’s 0-1 with an 11.12 ERA in three 2024 outings towards the Pirates.
Connor Joe is 9-for-16 towards Hendricks and Reynolds (9-for-38) has two homers off him.
–Area Stage Media
