Rookie Paul Skenes is in the discussion for already being the best pitcher in baseball with a 2.10 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. The Pirates are 13-7 in his starts. Based on that, the Pirates would have the best record in baseball if Skenes were able to pitch every game.

Skenes has been even more dominant on the road with a 4-1 record and 1.49 ERA. He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Cardinals during his lone start at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals have been swinging cold bats for the last two weeks, averaging 2.6 runs in their last 10 games.

I don't see St. Louis starter Andre Pallante hanging in against Skenes. He has a 4.73 home ERA and is struggling this month giving up eight runs on 11 hits in 10 innings.