PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s no secret the Pirates are looking for ways to limit the number of innings Paul Skenes throws in his first year. It probably had something to do, along with pitching an inning Tuesday in the All-Star Game, with the rotation for the series against the Phillies this weekend.
As the Pirates return from the All-Star Break, they will throw the three starters with the fewest innings in their rotation.
Friday
· Pirates-LHP Martin Perez
14 starts, 73.1 innings, 5.15 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 25 walks, 1.62 WHIP
· Phillies-RHP Aaron Nola
11-4, 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 116 strikeouts, 27 walks, 17 HR allowed
Saturday
· Pirates-RHP Luis Ortiz
4 starts, 66.2 innings, 2.84 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 19 walks, 1.16 WHIP, 3 HR allowed
· Phillies-LHP Cristopher Sanchez
7-4, 2.96 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 103.1 innings, 87 strikeouts, 28 walks, 2 HR allowed
Sunday
· Pirates-LHP Marco Gonzales
1-0, 2.45 ERA, 4 starts, 22 innings, 15 strikeouts, 5 walks, 1.23 WHIP
· Phillies-RHP Tyler Phillips
1-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 start, 10 innings, 12 strikeouts, 0 walks, 3 HR allowed
Skenes will likely start against the Cardinals with that series starting on Monday and that likely thrilled the ticket office as many of the seats for the Phillies series were already sold.
Dan Zangrilli hosts the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show presented by Pella Windows to start the series Friday at 5:45p on 93.7 The Fan.