Tonight's Skenes start feels 'really important'

The Pirates will look to young pitching sensation Paul Skenes to stop the bleeding after the team was swept by the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend.

Not even three weeks into the season and Monday feels like a must-win for the Pirates as they host the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.

The Bucs are 5-11 heading into Monday night, in last place in the National League Central and 5.0 games out of first.

Skenes had a rough outing in his last start, giving up five earned runs over 6 innings.

With the Pirates hitting .184 (last in the MLB), it's up to Skenes to pitch lights out.

It isn't fair to Skenes, but it's the reality.

With wins few and far between to begin the season, it's up to Skenes to carry the team on Monday.

"Tonight does feel important," said Adam Crowley on The Fan Morning Show Monday. "it feels really important."

With the Pirates six games under .500 this early on, each loss is bad, but when Skenes is on the mound, and the team still loses, it feels even worse.

For those looking for hope early on, Paul Skenes is the beacon for the Bucs. He has to come through on Monday night.

6-11 isn't great, but it's a lot better than 5-12 and four losses in a row.