A look forward to Skenes delivering a majestic performance against the Cubs today
Baseball is a rollercoaster, and this season has been no exception. After a 2-0 day this week, I dropped two games yesterday. The challenge is real, but I'm still optimistic about the Cubs vs. Pirates matchup today.
The Cubs have been a surprise big hitter this season. They're stealing bases, hitting well, and getting production from the bottom of their order. One starter is underperforming, but Dansby Swanson could turn it around soon. The Pirates, on the other hand, are not an elite team, but their goal should be to improve and build consistency. However, without investing in top talent, they won't get much sympathy.
The Pirates will field Paul Skenes, a generational talent with a 3-2 record and a 2.39 ERA. He's impressed with a 0.80 WHIP, good for third in the league. His ERA is relatively low, but he allows hard contact when batters make it. Skenes has struck out Cubs hitters 18 times in 43 at-bats in the past.
Despite my confidence in the Cubs' offense over the Pirates', I'm not betting on the game due to insufficient value and occasional bias against the Cubs. However, I do feel good about Skenes' strikeout performance today. Skenes typically averages about 7.03 strikeouts per game in his career, and with his recent performance against the Cubs taken into consideration, we might see him record 6-8 strikeouts in a standard outing. I'm betting on over 6.5 strikeouts for Skenes at -135.
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Historically, Paul Skenes averages about 7.03 strikeouts per game in his career[2]. In his last outing against the Cubs, he recorded only two strikeouts[5]. Despite having a regular ERA of 2.39 and WHIP of 0.80, Skenes can sometimes allow hard contact when batters make it[4]. With an average of 9.32 strikeouts per nine innings in the 2025 season[1], it's expected that Skenes could record around 6-8 strikeouts in a typical game against the Cubs. The Cubs' strong lineup could challenge Skenes, potentially leading to fewer strikeouts than his average if he struggles with control or faces hitters who handle his high-velocity pitches well.
Today, the Cubs take on the Pirates, and despite the Cubs' strong performance this season, I'm hesitant to bet on the game due to insufficient value and occasional bias against the team. However, I am betting on Paul Skenes to record over 6.5 strikeouts at -135, given his historic strikeout average and previous performance against the Cubs. Historically, Skenes averages about 7.03 strikeouts per game, but as he allows hard contact when batters make it, the Cubs' lineup could present a challenge. Could Skenes record 6-8 strikeouts in today's game? Let's react and follow along on Twitter: @futureprez2024.
