Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has one last chance to show why he should be starting for the All-Star Game for the National League, and that comes Thursday on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pittsburgh Pirates (-135, 8) vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Skenes has yet to lose a decision in his career, posting a 2.13 ERA with 11.8 strikeouts to 1.8 walks per nine innings, but he is set to face perhaps his toughest test yet.
Against right-handed pitching this season, the Brewers lead the league with a .335 on-base percentage ranking fifth in the league in runs per game at home with 5.1 runs per game and have a rather big edge late in the bullpen game.
The Brewers entered Wednesday ranked fifth with a 3.38 bullpen ERA while the Pirates’ 4.43 ERA is ranked just 25th.
Brewers starting pitcher, Aaron Civale, will look to put his bullpen in a good spot, posting a 5.18 ERA despite registering nine strikeouts per nine innings due to his 1.9 home runs allowed per nine innings.
The Pirates rank 18th in the league in run production with 4.2 runs per game despite an on-base percentage that ranks 25th in the league.
Despite how great Skenes has pitched, the team has lost two of his past three starts and while they own the pitching advantage, the Brewers’ team effort will win out on Thursday.
The Play: Brewers +114
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