Pirates vs Astros Preview: Skenes on the Mound for Pittsburgh

The Pirates came to Houston and left with a big win. They beat the Astros 10-6 on June 3rd, and it was a slugfest. Oneil Cruz smashed a three-run homer that rocketed 419 feet into center field. Brandon Lowe followed with his own blast — a two-run shot to right that went 356 feet. The Pirates' bats were on fire, and their hitters dominated the game. Now the Astros get another chance to respond at home. Yordan Alvarez hit a homer for Houston, but it wasn't enough. Can the Astros bounce back tonight?

Paul Skenes is one of the best pitchers in baseball. The young right-hander is Pittsburgh's ace, and every time he pitches, the Pirates have a real shot to win. Skenes made his debut last year and he's already one of the league's elite starters. He faced Houston before, so he knows what to expect. Spencer Arrighetti will pitch for the Astros. The Houston rotation is in a new phase without Framber Valdez. Arrighetti needs to keep Pittsburgh's hitters off balance. This is a huge matchup — ace versus ace. The pitching battle will decide who wins tonight.

Yordan Alvarez is one of baseball's best hitters. He's slashing 381 and has 3 home runs already. When Alvarez is healthy, he's nearly impossible to stop. The Pirates have some serious bats too. Bryan Reynolds is a two-time All-Star with solid power. Brandon Lowe is hitting 333 and has 3 home runs. Oneil Cruz brings rare size and athleticism at shortstop. Cruz can hit for power and steal bases — a dangerous combo. The Pirates' lineup is deep and full of threats. Houston's pitching staff has to be sharp to get through this order.