May 10 may become a substantial day in Pirates history.
Welcome to Bechtold’s Core Four, where I preview four Pittsburgh Pirates topics, events, or storylines worth following this week. In this weekly feature, we’ll discover what you would keep an eye on as the week progresses in the world of the Pirates and Major League Baseball. Let’s go.
So… Is It Time?
Yes, it’s time. Paul Skenes should be here. Now. It should happen in the next couple of days. Remember the date: Friday, May 10. Skenes would be working on standard rest and face the Chicago Cubs in front of a packed PNC Park.
The hype continues to build on social media and across both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis that Skenes made his final start in the minors Sunday against Buffalo. Skenes truly wasn’t great, showing he is human. He allowed two runs on three hits, walked two batters, and struck out four. Facing the team he pitched against during his last start, Skenes was timed up much better on his fastball and only threw 66 pitches in 4.1 innings. It was arguably his worst start of the year. The Indianapolis Indians’ announcers even sounded like it could be the end for Skenes in Circle City. It was the first time Skenes pitched on regular four-day MLB rest.
All 41 Paul Skenes strikeouts, all in one place.
We’re 24 hours away from Skenes Sunday. Be there: https://t.co/IyLaMuRf27 pic.twitter.com/iETmiQx1XS
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 4, 2024
This promotion is more secret than something out of the X-Files or Area 51. When will we know? The Pirates should promote it on Monday and make the debut an event. Wednesday or Thursday is more likely and realistic. Buckle up for a potentially memorable and substantial week.
City of Angels, City of No Names
I’m not that interested in what the Angels have to offer, all due to one injury. Mike Trout has a torn meniscus and had knee surgery last week. There is no timetable for his return. The main draw and attraction around the Angels is Trout and has been for a decade. Especially without Shohei Ohtani playing for the Dodgers and Anthony Rendon once again injured, the Angels aren’t a team I’m watching this season… nearly the opposite.
What’s LA without stars? Ok, Anaheim. The cupboard is bare. Trout had 10 home runs in 29 games and could have fought for the AL home run record Aaron Judge set just months ago! Now it’s up to Taylor Ward and Zach Neto to carry the offense. The Angels are 2-8 in their last 10 and 12-22 overall. The Pirates must take 2-3.
Hello Division Play
The heart of divisional play is nearly here, as beginning Friday, the Pirates face an NL Central foe 10 games in a row. Beginning and ending with the Cubs, if the Pirates want to compete in the division, they must win at least five games. Taking two series would put Derek Shelton’s team closer to .500 and in the early running around near the middle of May.
The Pirates finished above the St. Louis Cardinals last season for the first time since 1999. They’ve never won the NL Central. Divisional games are more important now than ever with fewer games and additional interleague play. Milwaukee is the other opponent during the 10-game stretch and split a four-game series at PNC Park even though Pittsburgh took the first two games.
Wake Up, Bats
127 games remain. 78 percent of the season. Despite this, something has to change. They’re not a sleeping giant, but the offense can’t be this poor. Sunday’s 5-3 comeback win was the team’s first victory when scoring five or more runs since a 9-2 win against Philadephia nearly a month ago on April 14. Jack Suwinski drove in a run Sunday and recorded the walk-off winner Saturday to end a five-game losing streak. Oneil Cruz is beginning to find a grove and even Rowdy Tellez drove in a run on an RBI double.
Nick Gonzales should be here. Jake Lamb too. Both are hitting over .300 and Gonzales won April Player of the Month honors. Liover Peguero remains swinging a hot bat. Reinforcements need to arrive. It’s not enough to squeak by a Rockies team that trailed in every game entering Friday. It’s all part of the ebbs and flows of baseball. Let’s see if this week’s any different than the last two.