Marlins vs Pirates Preview: Ace Skenes Battles Young Mound

The Marlins are rolling right now. They've won six straight games and are 9-1 in their last ten matchups. That's the kind of momentum that wins ballgames. But here's the thing—they're running into Paul Skenes on Sunday. Skenes is Pittsburgh's young superstar pitcher. Every time he takes the mound, the Pirates have a legitimate shot to win. The Marlins will counter with Max Meyer on the bump. This matchup sets up as a classic pitcher's duel where both teams need their arms dialed in tight.

The Pirates are in tough right now. They've lost their last two games and are just 3-7 in their past ten outings. That's a serious skid. The good news? They're at home at PNC Park, where they've played better. Yesterday's game came down to the final inning—Pirates won 3-2 in a nail-biter. The day before, Miami exploded for eight runs and took the series opener. Pittsburgh needs to get back on track fast. Skenes gives them a real chance to bounce back and even this series up.

Let's look at these pitchers head-to-head. Skenes is ranked number 13 overall in baseball right now. That ranking speaks to how special he is. Meyer sits at number 451, still developing as a young arm. Both are trying to prove themselves on the biggest stage. When young pitchers face off like this, the margin for error shrinks. One mistake pitch can change everything. The team that throws strikes and avoids walks usually wins these matchups. Sunday's game could come down to who controls the strike zone better and keeps hitters off-balance.