Plenty of remarkable moments have unfolded at third base throughout the season for Morel, catching the eye of baseball operations president Jed Hoyer, especially the routine plays that demonstrate consistency and reliability.
While all eyes are on Paul Skenes making his debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park this weekend, pitching enthusiasts have another reason to be excited as the Chicago Cubs come to town for a three-game series.
The Cubs enter the series with a 22-16 record, trailing just behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, while the Pirates sit five games back at 17-21.
Both teams boast impressive starting pitching statistics this season. The Cubs’ starting staff holds the second-best ERA in the National League at 3.07, closely followed by the Pirates at fourth with 3.64. Additionally, the Cubs have the second-best collective starting WHIP in the NL at 1.15, with the Pirates not far behind at fourth with 1.18.
Chicago’s starters have issued the fewest walks in the NL, with 52, while the Pirates rank third with 58. When it comes to batting average against, the Cubs hold third place with .230, while the Pirates are sixth with .239.
The Pirates’ starting rotation is poised to receive a significant boost with the addition of Skenes, the top pick in the 2023 draft, who will make his Major League debut on Saturday afternoon.
Skenes will face off against Javier Assad, who has had a strong start to the season with a 3-0 record and an impressive 1.66 ERA, ranking fourth in Major League Baseball. Unfortunately for the Cubs, their ace Shota Imanaga, who leads the majors with a 1.08 ERA, will miss the series against the Pirates.
¡VICTORIA DEL TIJUANENSE! 🫡
Con una gran salida, Javier Assad se lleva su tercer triunfo de la temporada 🔥 6 innings donde no permitió carrera y bajó su ERA a 1.66 😎
No solo eso, también es líder de efectividad en la Liga Nacional 👌🏼 ¡Tremendo! #YoAmoElBeis pic.twitter.com/bxXSk0mZwH
— MLB México (@MLB_Mexico) May 5, 2024
Friday’s matchup on the mound is generating its own share of excitement, amidst all the buzz surrounding Saturday’s game.
Taking the mound for Pittsburgh is Jared Jones, a rookie right-hander whose performance this season has been somewhat overshadowed by the hype surrounding Skenes’ debut. Despite this, Jones has been making waves, with 52 strikeouts to his name as of Thursday night, placing him among the top in the National League. His impressive stats include a 2.63 ERA and a WHIP of 0.78, ranking him third in the NL.
In his most recent outing, Jones showcased his talent with a stellar performance, recording 10 strikeouts over seven innings of one-hit, shutout baseball, leading the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies last Saturday.
Jared Jones has arrived 😤 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/LhpqIOfBCY
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) May 4, 2024
Jones expressed his confidence in his recent performance, stating, “I’m just going out there and staying true to myself.” Reflecting on past experiences, he acknowledged the occasional fluctuations in his performance, which can impact statistics like ERA. However, he emphasized feeling positive about his current form.
Switching focus to the Cubs’ upcoming match, all eyes are on Jameson Taillon, who takes the mound for Chicago. Taillon, with an impeccable record of 3-0 and a remarkable 1.13 ERA across four starts, brings familiarity to PNC Park. Despite a delayed start due to back concerns, Taillon has consistently delivered, keeping his opponents to minimal earned runs in each outing.
Zach Zaidman, the Cubs’ play-by-play announcer, commended Taillon’s stellar performance on the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. Zaidman highlighted Taillon’s dedication during the offseason, where he revamped his workout regimen and collaborated with the Cubs to refine his pitching strategy. Taillon’s analytical approach, focusing on elements like stride direction and arm path, underscores his commitment to integrating data-driven insights with his physical prowess.
Jameson Taillon, Nasty 80mph Sweeper. 😨 pic.twitter.com/keGWJpqDE7
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 4, 2024
Similar to Skenes, Taillon was also drafted in the first round by the Pirates back in 2010. However, his journey led him to don the New York Yankees uniform in 2021 before eventually joining the Cubs ahead of the 2023 season.
In the upcoming Sunday matchup, the spotlight shines on the pitchers. Mitch Keller, the 2023 All-Star, takes the mound for the Pirates fresh off a stellar performance against the Los Angeles Angels, where he secured a 4-1 complete-game victory. Manager Derek Shelton praised Keller’s pitching mix, emphasizing its consistency and effectiveness throughout the game.
On the other side, the Cubs deploy Justin Steele, Keller’s NL All-Star counterpart. Despite an early-season hamstring injury limiting his appearances, Steele has showcased his prowess by conceding only one earned run across 9 ⅓ innings pitched in his two outings this year.
With such formidable pitching talent on display, fans can anticipate an exciting duel between the Pirates and Cubs. Given the Pirates’ struggles at the plate, Chicago’s pitching staff is poised to shine even brighter.
As for Skenes, the pressure to carry the team might fall heavily on his shoulders, a realization likely already grasped by veterans like Jones and Keller.
