BRADENTON, Fla. -- Paul Skenes returned from the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday. A day later, Pirates manager Don Kelly informed the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner what pretty much everyone has expected: Yes, Skenes will start on Opening Day.
After telling Skenes, Kelly told everyone else during his afternoon media availability in advance of a game against the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
The Pirates will play the Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, March 26, at 1:15 p.m. ET in a game that will be televised on NBC/Peacock. Freddy Peralta will get the ball for New York.
It’s the second consecutive Opening Day start for Skenes, who went 10-10 with a 1.97 ERA in 32 starts last season, walking 42 and striking out 216 in 187 2/3 innings of work.
Nobody in the NL had a lower ERA than Skenes, while only two pitchers piled up more strikeouts.
Twenty-one of Skenes’ starts lasted at least six innings, while only six pitchers had more than his 20 quality starts.
Last year on Opening Day, Skenes delivered 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball during a 5-4 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot park, walking two and striking out seven.
Skenes has one more start this spring. It's expected to come on Saturday against the Blue Jays at LECOM Park.