Pirates' starting staff has done well to limit the long ball

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Pirates' starting staff has done well to limit the long ball originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Despite Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander Paul Skenes having a disastrous Opening Day, the starting rotation has been good. The reigning Cy Young Award winner allowed five earned runs, two walks, and hit a batter in 0.2 of an inning pitched against the New York Mets on March 26.

According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, the Pirates' starting rotation remains the only starting staff in baseball not to give up a home run. The Pirates' starters have thrown 43.0 innings (21st in MLB) this season.

The Pirates have three quality arms pitching behind Paul Skenes​

Even though Skenes hasn't gotten off to a good start for the Pirates, right-handers Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft have. Through two starts each, Keller is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and seven strikeouts in 12.0 innings, while Ashcraft is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 12.0 innings.

Keller and Ashcraft are coming off solid starts versus the Baltimore Orioles, combining to throw 12.0 innings, giving up 10 hits, allowing three earned runs, walking four, and striking out 12.

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Right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski has also performed okay through his first two starts, posting a 4.00 ERA, but struck out 13 in nine innings. Mlodzinski is coming off a rough outing versus the Baltimore Orioles, where he allowed two earned runs on five hits and walked three in 4.2 innings.

The Pirates' starting staff should only get better, as right-hander Jared Jones (right UCL sprain) should be back in late May/early June. Jones last pitched for the Pirates in September 2024, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 22 starts.

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