Paul Skenes thinking playoffs for Pirates on eve of opener vs. Freddy Peralta and new-look Mets
NEW YORK (AP) — On the eve of opening day, Paul Skenes set forth lofty goals for the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We want to win the division. We want to make the playoffs.
That’s it. How we do that, who knows? " the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner said Wednesday.
"I don’t want to put a number of games out there because that’s just putting a ceiling on us. We’ve got to go out there and play well every day. ” That pursuit begins Thursday, when Skenes pitches for the Pirates against Juan Soto, Bo Bichette and a revamped New York Mets lineup in a nationally televised opener at Citi Field.
Freddy Peralta makes his Mets debut on the mound after the two-time All-Star was acquired from Milwaukee in a January trade. “I know that he’s great," the right-hander said of Skenes. "I just see it that I’m competing against him, you know what I’m saying?
Because I know it’s going to be probably a tough day for the offense. And it makes me better when I know that I have that kind of pitcher on the mound. ” Even thinking about the postseason is a notable step forward for the thrifty Pirates, who finished last in the NL Central at 71-91 last season.
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