Overview
- Paul Skenes, 9-11 with a 3.79 ERA, takes the mound Tuesday seeking his first win since July 19 after the Pirates managed his workload and made mechanical adjustments following concerns about a drop in fastball velocity.
- Logan Webb arrives at PNC Park at 8-8 with a 3.72 ERA and a strong August that included a 2-1 mark and a 2.83 ERA, and he has a 2-1 record with a 2.37 ERA in five career starts versus Pittsburgh.
- Skenes showed signs of rebound with six scoreless innings at Petco on Aug. 25, a performance that the Pirates hope will carry into this homestand where they need multiple wins to improve slim playoff odds.
- The Giants have won five of eight games recently as in-season call-ups have added energy and offense for a team that is no longer competing for a postseason spot but has been more competitive late in the year.
- How Skenes and Webb perform in this start matters for their career arcs because both pitchers have seen underlying metrics shift this season, and a strong showing could clarify whether each is adjusting to a new phase of his game.