DAT 7/29: Pirates (Skenes) @ Astros (Scott), 7:10 CST

After taking 2 of 3 from the hated Hollywood Dodgers, the Astros continue the old-school wing of this 3-team homestand against another former NL foe, Pittsburgh. The Pirates are showing signs of life rarely seen in the Steel City since Barry Bonds left town more than 30 years ago. The current Bucs have on the roster their most impactful rookie since Bonds, Paul Skenes, one half of LSU's royal national championship couple. Skenes was scheduled to take the hill tonight against another first-year pitcher, Astros right-hander Jake Bloss, an anonymous sort who's off to an undistingushed start reminiscent of most Pirates of the last generation and a half. But Bloss was scratched before first pitch, along with DAT 2024 favorite Chas McCormick, so Tayler Scott gets the start tonight for Houston.

On the other hand, Skenes stands out at 6-foot-6 with his late-1980s Pirate logo mustache, the strut around and off the mound, and, of course, a devastating fastball and splinker. And, yet, even he takes a back seat in popularity outside of Pittsburgh compared to his girlfriend, LSU gymnast and social influencer, Livvy Dunne. The Astros have their own LSU Tiger on their side tonight, Alex Bregman, fresh off a walk-off HR in taking Blake Treinen to the train station Saturday night to beat the hated Dodgers.

The confluence (a favorite word back in the day to describe why the late Three Rivers Stadium had its name) of all of these factors, along with it being Trade Deadline Eve for Astros GM Dana Brown, make this perhaps the most anticipated Astros-Pirates game since Randy Johnson made his Houston debut in Pittsburgh in 1998. On paper, Skenes-Bloss seems as lopsided as that 12-strikeout Big Unit performance in a 6-2 victory, so you can imagine Skenes against the Astros' merry band of long and middle relievers in what's turned into a bullpen game. But never count out Altuve and Yordan in a game filled with pregame, star-studded hype. So, tonight, let's play some Hollywood Squares, and hope the Astros sink the Pirates.



ETA: Bloss and Chas McCormick have been scratched from the lineup.