If there is one difference between Skubal and Skenes, it is that Skubal is in attack mode more than anyone in the league. He leads MLB in throwing his first pitch for a strike at 70% of the time. Overall, he throws strikes 55% of the time -- good for third most in baseball.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are still struggling. They are 52-73 and well out of postseason contention. They appeared to have a window with strong starting pitching

The Pittsburgh Pirates are back in town and will be opening a week-long homestand tonight with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Colorado Rockies coming to PNC Park. For some time now, it's been clear that the Pirates won't be making the playoffs this season, but there are still nights when 30,000 fans show up at PNC Park.

Dansby Swanson hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 in the rubber game of the weekend series.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a promising catcher prospect that they recently moved up in their farm system. The Pirates promoted catcher Axiel Plaz

The Chicago Cubs have struggled to pull themselves out of this rut. Going 4-6 in their last ten games and 9-11 in the past 20 games, which won’t do against the Milwaukee Brewers, who remain hot.