The Cubs and the Pirates played a truly bizarre game on Saturday that featured a highly anticipated MLB debut and a two-hour-plus rain delay. Chicago was able to erase a 6-1 deficit in an unusual seven-run 5th inning but couldn’t hold the advantage and would eventually lose by one.
The crowd at PNC Park was very hyped to see the debut of 2023 first-overall pick Paul Skenes and he was impressive early, keeping the Cubs off the scoreboard through three frames. Pittsburgh jumped all over Justin Steele in the bottom of the third inning when Connor Joe launched a three-run home run to left field and Oneil Cruz followed with a solo shot to put the home team on top 4-0.