Pirates Preview: Sizzling Paul Skenes Heads to Atlanta

The Pittsburgh Pirates put on a lifeless performance Friday night, falling 6-1 to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

Martín Pérez struggled in his return from the disabled list. Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 24 games, but the Pirates (39-42) managed just one run on a double by Ke’Bryan Hayes in the ninth inning.

The Pirates will try to bounce back against the Braves (45-35) on Saturday behind Paul Skenes.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather report

Temperatures around 80° with a slight chance of rain around the first step. West winds at 8-9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will send right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.14 ERA)

Skenes is coming off another strong start in his last outing. On Sunday, he held the Rays to one run in seven innings pitched and struck out eight.

The star rookie has allowed just two runs in 19.1 innings over his last three starts – 0.93 ERA.

Since his debut on May 11, Skenes is fifth in baseball with 11.85 strikeouts per nine. He is sixth in the National League in earned run average and save percentage (2.50).

This will be his first time facing Atlanta. He has a 0.98 ERA in three road starts this season.

The Atlanta Braves will send left-handed pitcher Max Fried (7-3, 3.00 ERA)

Fried has been particularly effective in his last six starts with a 4-1 record and a 2.01 ERA.

In his last start against the Yankees in New York, Fried allowed one run on six hits in six innings pitched. He allowed no walks and struck out four batters.

The left-hander has already thrown two complete games this season and is averaging six innings per start.

Fried has faced the Pirates six times in his career and is 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA.

Braves hitters vs. Skenes

Pirates Hitters vs. Fried

• Bryan Reynolds: 6 for 17, one double, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
• Andrew McCutchen: 2 of 17, two walks, seven strikeouts
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 4 for 12, two RBIs, one strikeout
• Connor Joe: 1 for 5, 1 strikeout
• Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 5, one strikeout
• Jack Suwinski: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
• Jason Delay: 1 for 3, 1 strikeout
• Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts

Useful information

• Bryan Reynolds’ 24-game hitting streak ties Maury Wills for the longest by a Pirates hitter since 1901.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes snapped an 0-for-18 skid with a single in the fifth inning Friday. He then doubled the Pirates’ only run, giving them their first multi-hit game since June 6.
• The Pirates haven’t won a series in Atlanta since 2015 and are 6-19 against the Braves on the road since then.

Connections

Perrotto: Skenes rekindles memories of Jose DeLeon’s fast start with Pirates

Pirates minor league report: Hunter Barco triggers no-hitter

Pérez fights for his return from IL; Pirates beaten 6-1 by Braves

Pirates reinstate Martin Perez and Justin Bruihl as options

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