The Pirates third starter, left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter, will start in the series opener on July 4 and then the fifth starter, rookie right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows, starts on July 5, according to José Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports.

Skenes, who was drafted first in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and was promoted to the Major League at the start of last season, is having a tremendous year and was ranked first in MLB.com ’s June Cy Young Award poll.

The day also included news of a startling statistical pace for starting pitcher Paul Skenes that hasn't been seen from a Pirates hurler since 1913. Skenes is on pace for an 8+ WAR (wins above replacement) year, a feat not accomplished by a Pittsburgh player since Babe Adams in 1913.