PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – This is not a surprise, but official as the Pirates will have Paul Skenes start the season opener in Queens, New York next Thursday against the Mets.
The National League Cy Young Award winner went 10-10 last year with a 1.97 ERA in 32 games with 42 walks and 216 strikeouts and a 0.948 WHIP.
Skenes being named the Opening Day starter in New York likely means he won't start the home opener, six games later on April 3 at PNC Park against Baltimore. He might miss the entire series depending on how manager Don Kelly works the rotation.
