Ny Yankees vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions September 28th 2024

Pirates’ Paul Skenes ready to face Yankees’ sluggers

At 1:05 PM ET, the Pirates and Yankees face off in an interleague matchup. This one is being played at Yankee Stadium in New York, and the Yankees are the heavy favorite on the money line (-134). The money line odds for the Pirates are sitting at +114, and the over/under line is at 7.5 runs.

Paul Skenes is starting for the Pirates, and he is facing off against Luis Gil. The Pirates are 75-85, putting them 5th in the NL Central, while the Yankees are 93-67 and are 1st in the AL East. MLBN is carrying this one on TV.

Pittsburgh vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Pirates at Yankees
• Where: Yankee Stadium New York
• Date: Saturday, September 28th
• Betting Odds NYY -134 | PIT +114 O/U 7.5

The Pirates Can Win If…

Right-hander Paul Skenes is getting the start for the Pirates today as he faces the Yankees on the road. He has made 22 starts this season and has a record of 11-3. Skenes’ ERA is currently 1.99, along with a WHIP of .96. In his 22 appearances, he has turned in 15 quality starts. Skenes is coming off a start in which he didn’t allow a run, going five innings for the win. Before that outing, he had given up at least one earned run in three straight starts. Skenes has been particularly tough on the road, coming in with a record of 5-2 and an ERA of 1.35.

Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz are both tied for 2nd on the Pirates in home runs this season, with 21 apiece. Cruz is batting .262 for the season, while De La Cruz is hitting just .233. Bryan Reynolds is the Pirates’ leading home run hitter and is batting .276 for the season. His 88 RBIs are also the best mark on the team. Reynolds has also gone deep 24 times this season.

Over his last eight games, Billy Cook has gone 6/21 with two homers for the Pirates. Bryan De La Cruz has also gone deep twice in this stretch but is just 5/28 in his last eight games. De La Cruz is also batting just .233 for the season. Nick Gonzales is batting .333 in his last nine games and has one home run in this stretch.

• The Pirates are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Pirates are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Pirates have an average of 2.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Pirates are 4-6
• Looking back across the Pirates last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Pittsburgh has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Pirates have averaged 2.4 runs per game on offense

The Yankees Can Win If…

New York is starting right-hander Luis Gil today vs. the Pirates, and he comes into the game with a record of 15-6 and an ERA of 3.27. Gil has made 28 starts this season and has pitched well, coming out of the game with a win in each of his last three outings. In his most recent start, he went 5 1/3 innings vs. the Athletics, giving up four earned runs on five hits. Gil finished that outing with three walks and five strikeouts. Per nine innings, he is averaging 10.23 strikeouts and 4.68 walks.

Not only do the Yankees lead the league in home runs this season, but they also have the top scoring offense in the league, averaging 5 runs per game. They have been even better on the road, averaging 5.3 runs per contest. Overall, they are 7th in the league in batting average at .249 and have the top on-base percentage in the league. New York’s offense is also 3rd in slugging and OPS.

Heading into the game, Aaron Judge is on a five-game hitting streak and is batting .500 over his last four games, with four homers in that stretch. For the season, he is hitting .325 and leads the league with 144 RBIs. Juan Soto is also having a strong season, with a batting average of .288 and 41 homers.

• The Yankees are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Yankees are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• New York has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Yankees have an average of 5.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Yankees are 7-3
• Looking back across the Yankees last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• New York has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Yankees have averaged 4.8 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for a money-line pick would be to take the Yankees to come out on top at home vs. the Pirates. And despite our projections pointing to this being the 4th lowest-scoring game of today’s slate, we are leaning towards taking the over. Looking at today’s starters, we have Luis Gil as our 10th best strikeout pitcher compared to Paul Skenes (15th).

Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rising star, is poised for his final start of the season as he takes the mound against the New York Yankees. After a standout rookie campaign, Skenes will face a formidable challenge in one of baseball’s most iconic settings—Yankee Stadium—going head-to-head with sluggers like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Despite the Pirates (75-85) enduring another tough season, Skenes remains optimistic about the future of the team. He believes the best is yet to come for both himself and the franchise as they continue to rebuild. As he prepares to face the Yankees on Saturday, Skenes looks to finish strong and lay the groundwork for a much-anticipated 2024 season.

Skenes Shines Amid Pirates’ Struggles

While the Pirates are set to conclude their sixth consecutive losing season, Paul Skenes has emerged as one of the team’s most promising players. The 21-year-old right-hander has posted an impressive 11-3 record with a 1.99 ERA in his rookie season, establishing himself as a key piece of the Pirates’ future.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Skenes expressed confidence that the team will turn things around in 2024, encouraging fans to stay optimistic. “We’re going to be better next year. We’re going to win a lot more games. So just keep coming,” he said.

Skenes has been a model of consistency throughout the season. In 22 starts, he has not allowed more than four runs in a single outing, with six scoreless starts and another six in which he gave up only one run. His elite control and command on the mound have made him one of the most exciting rookies to watch.

Heading into his final start of the year, Skenes has pitched especially well in September, allowing just two runs across 22 innings in his last four starts. His most recent performance—a five-inning, two-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in a 2-0 victory over Cincinnati—showcased his ability to dominate even as the Pirates have struggled down the stretch.

Facing Yankees’ Sluggers: A True Test

The Yankees (93-67) present a formidable challenge for Skenes in his last outing of the season. The Bronx Bombers, led by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, are not only aiming to secure the best record in the American League but are also riding high after clinching the AL East title.

Aaron Judge, in particular, has been on an incredible power streak, homering in five straight games before resting on Friday. Judge’s 58 home runs lead the league, and the Yankees will look to him to continue his hot streak as they prepare for the playoffs. Skenes, however, remains unfazed by the challenge, having already faced Judge and Soto in this year’s All-Star Game.

“It’ll be cool,” Skenes said of pitching at Yankee Stadium. “Obviously, it’s a one-of-a-kind destination for baseball. But at the end of the day, it’s just baseball. Got to treat it like normal and go from there.”

This grounded approach has served him well throughout the season, and he’ll need that same calm demeanor when facing the Yankees’ high-powered offense.

Managing Workload: Protecting a Future Star

While Skenes has been outstanding in his rookie season, the Pirates have carefully monitored his workload to ensure he remains healthy for the long haul. After throwing 122 2/3 innings during his final college season at LSU, Skenes has pitched 131 innings in the majors this year, following a brief stint in Triple-A.

Given his high usage in both college and the minor leagues, the Pirates have been cautious not to overextend him. His innings count has been strategically managed to prevent burnout or injury as the team focuses on his long-term development.

“I didn’t put a ton of expectations on the year other than to really learn and then go out there and execute to the best of my ability,” Skenes said earlier this week. This developmental approach seems to be paying off, as he has consistently performed at a high level while remaining healthy.

The Yankees’ Side of the Story: Eager to Face Skenes

The Yankees are equally eager for the challenge, as this will be their first encounter with Skenes. Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Yankees’ third baseman, expressed his excitement about facing the Pirates’ phenom. “I can’t wait. That’s my type of thing. I like the challenge,” Chisholm said, reflecting the anticipation surrounding Skenes’ start.

With the Yankees locked in a tight race for the best record in the American League, they will be looking to finish the regular season on a high note. A win on Saturday would help them maintain their edge over the Cleveland Guardians, who are just one game behind in the standings. Should the teams finish tied, the Yankees would win the tiebreaker, making every game crucial as they wrap up the season.

Yankees’ Luis Gil Set to Counter Skenes

Opposing Skenes on the mound will be Yankees’ rookie Luis Gil, who has been equally impressive this season. Gil enters the game with a 15-6 record and a 3.27 ERA, tied with the Cubs’ Shota Imanga for the most wins among rookies. Known for his poise and control, Gil has allowed one run or fewer in 17 starts this season, placing him in elite company alongside Yankee legends like Jack Chesbro and Whitey Ford.

Gil has also been strong since returning from a brief absence caused by a back injury, with 22 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings across his last four starts. His ability to perform in big games will be crucial as the Yankees look to stay sharp heading into the postseason.

A Preview of the Future?

While the Pirates and Yankees are in very different stages of their competitive cycles, Saturday’s game could serve as a preview of the future. For the Pirates, Skenes represents hope and the potential to break out of a prolonged slump. For the Yankees, they are focused on continuing their dominance as they enter yet another postseason run.

Regardless of the outcome, the matchup between Skenes and the Yankees’ heavy hitters is sure to be a spectacle that baseball fans won’t want to miss.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Skenes and the Pirates

As the Pirates close out another tough season, Paul Skenes’ emergence offers a glimpse of hope for the franchise. With an impressive rookie season under his belt and a calm, composed mindset, Skenes is ready to face one of the toughest lineups in baseball, and his performance will be closely watched.

Win or lose, Skenes’ potential as a cornerstone for the Pirates’ future remains evident, and the team’s optimism about 2024 seems well-founded. For now, all eyes will be on Yankee Stadium as Skenes takes on the Bronx Bombers.

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