Paul Skenes impending debut headlines Pittsburgh Pirates series against rival Chicago Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome their rival Chicago Cubs to town this weekend and the weekend series has added excitement as Paul Skenes is expected to make his Major League debut.
Pittsburgh Pirates v Baltimore Orioles
Pittsburgh Pirates v Baltimore Orioles / Mike Ehrmann/GettyImages
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PITCHING MATCHUPS

FRIDAY: Javier Assad (RHP) vs Jared Jones (RHP)

Jared Jones will look to continue the tremendous start to his career by looking to follow up a 10-strikeout performance against the Colorado Rockies last week which included allowing just one hit over seven shutout innings.

Assad has been very good for the Pirates this season through seven starts, allowing just seven earned runs in 38 innings Last time out he threw six shutout innings against the Brewers in a 5-0 win for the Cubs.

SATURDAY: Paul Skenes (RHP) vs Justin Steele (LHP)

After allowing just three earned runs in seven starts at AAA Indianapolis, Skenes is scheduled to make his Major League debut on Saturday. Don't expect Skenes to go too long into the game, he averaged just around four innings per start in the minors and didn't throw more than 75 pitches in any start.

Steele is set to make his third start of the season on Saturday. After suffering an injury in the Cubs' season opener against Texas, Steele returned last weekend, pitching four and two-thirds against the Padres, allowing no runs and just four base runners on three hits and one walk.

SUNDAY: TBD vs TBD

Both teams have question marks for Sunday when it comes to who will start.