The Arizona Diamondbacks blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates last night, 9-0, in game 1 of their 3-game set at Chase Field. Don’t expect a repeat of that tonight because Paul Skenes is slated on the hill for the Bucs. Skenes is arguably the best pitcher in the Majors. The Cy Young winner was a little shaky in his last outing but that is a rarity. Skenes is 4-2 with a 2.91 ERA and a WHIP of only 0.82. The D-backs are expected to send Michael Soroka to the hill. The Pirates, who are averaging 5 runs per game, should send him packing early. Soroka is 4-1 but his ERA is high, at 4.70, with a WHIP of 1.43 and over his last 3 starts he has a bloated ERA of 6.67 and a 1.67 WHIP. The Snakes are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a win and over their last 10 games they have mustered just 3 wins. It is never wise to go against Paul Skenes.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PITTSBURGH PIRATES