Skenes out to avenge mixed '25 results vs. Crew in Friday's series opener

ARLINGTON -- A rain-shortened start didn’t impact Paul Skenes' preparation for his start on Friday in Milwaukee.

The Pirates’ ace threw four scoreless frames in Pittsburgh’s 8-7 loss to the Rays in 13 innings on Saturday at PNC Park, seeing his start cut short with a nearly 2 1/2-hour rain delay. Skenes was rolling at the time, scattering three hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

Asked on Thursday if Skenes adjusted his between-start routine after a 64-pitch outing, manager Don Kelly said: “No, he stayed with the same routine.”

Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young winner, is 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA in his first five starts. He has a 1.27 ERA over his past four starts, settling in after giving up five runs and recording just two outs in his Opening Day start against the Mets on March 26. Skenes won his previous three starts before the rain-shortened outing against Tampa Bay.

Squaring off against the Brewers in the series opener at American Family Field, Skenes will see some familiar faces in the Pirates' NL Central rivals, as he faced Milwaukee three times last season. Skenes allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over four innings in his last start against the Brewers on Aug. 12, a 14-0 loss in which he surrendered homers to Brewers sluggers Sal Frelick and Brice Turang.

In a start at Milwaukee on June 25, Skenes took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits over four innings. He also faced the Brewers on May 23 in Pittsburgh, throwing six innings of one-run ball in a no-decision.

For his career, Skenes is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in four starts against Milwaukee. Three of those starts have come at American Family Field, where he’s 1-2 with a 4.80 ERA.

Skenes’ best start in Milwaukee was his debut at the ballpark on July 11, 2024, throwing seven no-hit innings and striking out 11 in a 1-0 victory.