Perfect weather in the Burgh this evening for some runs. Yes, Paul Skenes is on the bump for the Buccos but he’s allowed nine earned runs and 15 hits in his last 10.0 innings. Colin Rea goes for Chicago, allowing 12 earned runs in his last three starts. Five of the Pirates last nine games have gone over seven total runs while three of the last four meetings between the teams have had more than seven total runs as well.

Look for Pirates ace Paul Skenes to get back on track at home following two poor outings in a row. Chicago broke out for 10 runs Wednesday, but in the previous eight games, the team mustered 14 runs total. And I'm betting Skenes will get run support. Cubs starter Colin Rea has given up a .950 OPS and .568 slugging percentage to current Pirates (81 at-bats). He owns a career 5.09 ERA against Pittsburgh. Back the hosts to lead after five.

Skenes has been hit hard the last two outings, allowing nine runs over 10 innings in losses to the Phillies and Blue Jays. He also had just two strikeouts vs. Toronto. Skenes had never allowed even three runs in two straight starts, and he’s still never lost three in a row. Expect an all-in bounce-back here. He’d struck out at least seven in five straight starts before the Toronto game.