The Cleveland Guardians traveled to Pittsburgh for a weekend series against the Pirates, a matchup highlighted by compelling pitching narratives. This interleague set features a pitcher's return to his former club and the Guardians facing one of baseball's most talked-about young arms.
Friday's game saw the homecoming of Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. Ortiz was originally developed by the Pirates and made his major league debut with the team. His start against Pittsburgh marked his first time facing his original organization at PNC Park as an opponent.
Ortiz returned to Pittsburgh in good form. He is coming off two strong outings, including his best performance of the season in his last start. In that game, he struck out 10 batters over 5 2/3 innings while allowing just one run, showing he is finding his rhythm with his new team. The emotional component of facing familiar faces and the organization that drafted him added interest to his appearance.
Saturday's game brings an even bigger draw: Paul Skenes. The Pirates' top draft pick from 2023 has quickly become a sensation in MLB. His impressive rookie season included winning the NL Rookie of the Year award, starting the All-Star Game, and finishing third in Cy Young voting.
Skenes has carried that success into the current season. Through his first four starts, he holds a 2.96 ERA and a microscopic 0.74 WHIP. He has struck out 26 batters against only three walks in 24 1/3 innings, limiting opposing hitters to a .169 batting average and a .225 slugging percentage. Facing Skenes presents a significant challenge for the Cleveland lineup.
The Pirates celebrate Paul Skenes with bobblehead giveaway at PNC Park, a testament to his immediate popularity and impact on the team. This event underscores the buzz surrounding the young right-hander.
Cleveland counters Skenes on Saturday with Ben Lively. The 33-year-old right-hander had a notable 13-10 season last year. His current season numbers show a 4.87 ERA and 1.33 WHIP through four starts.
Despite the higher ERA, there is some indication Lively could improve. Opposing hitters have a .309 batting average on balls in play against him, suggesting some recent bad luck that may normalize over time. The Pirates offense, which ranks near the bottom of the National League in runs per game and hitting line, may also offer Lively an opportunity to find better results.
This weekend series between the Cleveland Guardians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates offers intriguing pitching matchups, from a notable return to the mound to facing a dominant young star, providing plenty of baseball drama for fans. For a comprehensive look at the series narratives, a discussion on the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast offers deeper analysis.
