Wednesday’s MLB nightcap features an elite young starting pitcher looking to get his team back in the win column. Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates (19-17) take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (17-17) at Chase Field in Game 2 of a three-game series.
The Diamondbacks shut out the Pirates 9-0 in Tuesday night’s series opener, snapping a four-game losing streak. Arizona is trying to keep pace in a tough NL West that includes the defending back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Pirates enter Wednesday in last place in the NL Central despite sitting two games above .500.
Opposing Skenes is veteran right-hander Michael Soroka, who had been enjoying a solid season for Arizona until his most recent outing, when he allowed 10 hits, two walks, and eight earned runs in just three innings against Milwaukee.
Pirates vs. Diamondbacks Game Info
- 📍 Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, May 6
- ⏰ First Pitch: 9:40 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: MLB.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Pirates: Paul Skenes
- Diamondbacks: Michael Soroka
Pirates vs. Diamondbacks Current Odds
Despite coming off a 9-0 loss and playing on the road, the Pirates are listed as favorites at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook with reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes on the mound:
- Moneyline: Pirates -130, Diamondbacks +110
- Run Line: Pirates -1.5 (+130), Diamondbacks +1.5 (-155)
- Total (Runs): Over 7.5 (-120), Under 7.5 (+100)
Paul Skenes: MLB’s Top Pitcher?
There haven’t been many better starting pitchers in baseball since Paul Skenes made his MLB debut in 2024. The 23-year-old won National League Rookie of the Year after going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA across 23 starts. He also earned All-Star honors and finished third in NL Cy Young voting despite not pitching a full season.
Skenes followed up his incredible rookie campaign by posting an MLB-best 1.97 ERA and an NL-leading 0.94 WHIP across 32 starts last season. The right-hander also struck out 216 batters, tied for the fourth-most in the majors, over 187.2 innings en route to his second consecutive All-Star selection and first career Cy Young Award.
Although Skenes is still searching for a bit more consistency in 2026, he remains the betting favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award again at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook at +200 odds. Even after allowing five earned runs in 0.2 innings on Opening Day against the New York Mets and three earned runs in his last outing against St. Louis, Skenes still owns a 2.91 ERA and a 0.824 WHIP through seven starts this season.
Only time will tell how the 2026 season unfolds for Skenes, but he appears to be on track to become one of the top starting pitchers of his generation, and potentially one of the best ever.
Sign up with Hard Rock Bet today to get in on the action surrounding Skenes, including futures bets such as his Cy Young odds.
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for PIT-ARI
Paul Skenes is consistently a popular target in baseball betting markets whenever he takes the mound, so it’s no surprise he appears multiple times among the most-bet player props for Wednesday night’s matchup:
- Oneil Cruz – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Brandon Lowe – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Paul Skenes – To Record 5+ Strikeouts
- Ildemaro Vargas – Hits Over 0.5
- Paul Skenes – To Record 6+ Strikeouts
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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