Michael Soroka has been the quiet story of Arizona's rotation. He's 4-1 and just became the second pitcher in franchise history to win his first 4 starts in a D-backs uniform, throwing 7 innings of 2-run ball against Toronto last time out. The 4.70 ERA looks ugly next to Skenes' line, but Soroka has gotten results when it counts.
The injury sheets tell their own story. Arizona is still without Corbin Burnes, A.J. Puk, and Justin Martinez on the pitching side, and the lineup is missing Pavin Smith and Jordan Lawlar. Pittsburgh's biggest absence is Jared Jones, who just made his first rehab start at Single-A Bradenton — 3 perfect innings, 5 K's. Help is coming, just not tonight.
- Day-To-DaySean Sullivan (SP) — Sullivan owns a 5.87 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings over his three appearances since being promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 10.04/20
- Day-To-DayDominic Fletcher (RF) — The Pirates reassigned Fletcher to minor-league camp Monday.04/20
- Day-To-DayAnthony Solometo (SP) — Solometo is sidelined at Double-A Altoona with recurring left shoulder discomfort, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.04/16
- Day-To-DayMike Clevinger (RP) — Clevinger is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.04/16
- Day-To-DayOddanier Mosqueda (RP) — Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.04/02
- SuspensionChris Devenski (RP) — Devenski's suspension for intentionally throwing at Sal Stewart during Saturday's game versus the Reds has been reduced to two games, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.05/05
- 60-Day-ILJared Jones (SP) — Jones (elbow) allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out two across 3.0 innings and 54 pitches in a rehab outing with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Jared Greenspan of MLB.com reports.05/07
- Day-To-DayKyle Amendt (RP) — Amendt underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.03/31
- 10-Day-ILCarlos Santana (1B) — Santana (thigh) is continuing to rehab at Triple-A Reno and will be evaluated by the end of the week, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.05/06
- 10-Day-ILTyler Locklear (1B) — The Diamondbacks assigned Locklear (elbow) to a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.05/02
- OutA.J. Vukovich (CF) — Vukovich is expected to miss roughly 2-3 months with a left shoulder injury, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.04/18
- OutDerek Law (RP) — Law (forearm) signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.01/28
- OutTommy Henry (RP) — The Diamondbacks re-signed Henry (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.12/03
- 60-Day-ILPavin Smith (1B) — Smith (elbow) will take dry swings next week, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.05/06
- 60-Day-ILJordan Lawlar (LF) — Lawlar is doing as much baseball activity as possible without using his fractured right wrist, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.05/06
- 60-Day-ILCorbin Burnes (SP) — Burnes (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports.04/22
- 60-Day-ILA.J. Puk (RP) — Puk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and provided an update following the activity, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.04/22
- 60-Day-ILBlake Walston (SP) — Arizona placed Walston (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.03/25
- 60-Day-ILCristian Mena (RP) — The Diamondbacks placed Mena (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.03/25
- 60-Day-ILJustin Martinez (RP) — Martinez (elbow) is throwing from up to 120 feet on flat ground, MLB.com reports.03/25
- 60-Day-ILAndrew Saalfrank (RP) — Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports.02/11
The market sees this as a Skenes game. Pittsburgh is a -133 favorite on the road with a -1.5 runline at +126, and the total sits at 8 with the under juiced to -117. EV is negative on every side per Pinnacle fair value, but the DK ticket count tells you the public is piling on the Pirates moneyline (75% of bets) while the run line action is split closer down the middle.
Bottom line: the Pirates got punched in the mouth in Game 1 and now send their ace to even things up against a D-backs team that just snapped a 4-game slide. If Skenes is right, this is the kind of spot he eats. If he's not, Arizona has shown they can run up a number in a hurry.