Diamondbacks Manager Anticipates Challenge Against Pirates Ace Paul Skenes
PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is gearing up for an exciting matchup as his team faces Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes on Wednesday. Their connection dates back to last year’s All-Star Game, where Lovullo coached the National League team, with Skenes impressively starting as a rookie. In an impressive stretch, Skenes achieved a 1.90 ERA over 11 games leading up to his 22nd birthday, with a standout performance that saw him navigate the first inning without allowing a hit.
Ahead of the encounter, Lovullo expressed enthusiasm about reconnecting with Skenes. “I’m looking forward to saying hello to him. I spent some personal time with him, and I’ll always treasure those moments,” he remarked. Lovullo highlighted that they share mutual connections, including Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott, a close friend.
The only previous coaching faceoff against Skenes came shortly after the All-Star break, with the Diamondbacks managing to apply pressure. They scored two earned runs and accumulated five hits and three walks against Skenes, marking one of his less dominant outings of the season.
With optimism, Lovullo stated, “Our offense is capable against any starting pitcher.” He emphasized the importance of capitalizing on any mistakes Skenes might make, acknowledging the pitcher’s strong attack mentality.
As Skenes makes his Chase Field debut, his impressive performance continues, posting a 2.36 ERA over 11 starts this season, mirroring last year’s levels. However, his win-loss record shows a stark contrast, experiencing almost double the losses compared to the previous year.
Diamondbacks fans can catch this intriguing pitching duel against Skenes, with first pitch slated for 12:40 p.m. MST, live on 98.7 or the Arizona Sports app.
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