NL Cy Young winner with local tie highlights Rockies holiday weekend

The Colorado Rockies are coming off a tough series loss in Chicago to host Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend.

The reigning National League Cy Young winner is expected to get the ball on Saturday for the Pirates, who enter the series just over .500 at 38-37. The Rockies still have the worst record in baseball, at 28-47.

The Rockies won one of a three-game series from the Pirates in May, were swept by them last August but earlier that month had two memorable showings despite their worst season ever. Last time the Pirates were in Colorado, the Rockies overcame a 9-run first inning deficit to win 17-16 on the back of a five-run ninth capped by a Brenton Doyle walkoff two-run homer.

The next day the Rockies tagged Skenes for his first ever and still only three-run home run he’s allowed in his career. Chasing him after five innings to win the game 8-5. This year Skenes came back and mowed down the Rockies, holding them to two hits.

Which version of Skenes will we see? Well, it shouldn’t be an altitude issue given he played college baseball at Air Force in Colorado Springs.

Kyle Freeland is expected to pitch against Bubba Chandler on Friday night, Skenes will go against Tomoyuki Sugano on Saturday night then on Sunday it will be Michael Lorenzen vs. Jared Jones.

The Rockies host the Boston Red Sox later this home stand.