The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in the first of a three-game set at PNC Park on Monday night.

Paul Skenes struck out eight in six-solid innings, Henry Davis had some big at-bats late, and Evan Sisk earned his first major-league win.

The Pirates (53-73) will look to make it back-to-back wins over the Blue Jays (73-53) on Saturday

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-80s at start time. Winds SE at 6-8 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (5-11, 4.13 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller was knocked around for six runs on eight hits in four innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

The right-hander took the loss in that game, his first since June 21, which snapped a stretch of four straight decisions going his way after starting the year with a 1-10 record.

Over his last four starts, Keller has allowed 16 runs on 26 hits (three home runs) with nine walks and 15 strikeouts in 16.2 innings.

He faced Toronto once in his career (last year) and got the win after allowing one run with eight strikeouts in six innings.

RHP Max Scherzer (3-2, 3.83 ERA) Will Start for the Blue Jays

Scherzer faced the Chicago Cubs on Thursday and allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings.

The future Hall of Famer has a 1.89 ERA (4er/19ip) through his first three starts of August. He’s gone at least six innings in each of his three starts this month and his last four overall.

Scherzer missed all of April and May and most of June with a thumb injury and has totaled 10 starts since returning from the injured list on June 25.

In 14 career appearances against the Pirates, Scherzer is 5-2 with a 2.79 ERA.

Blue Jays Hitters vs. Keller

Andrés Giménez: 3 for 6, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Daulton Varsho: 1 for 5, one triple, two strikeouts
Myles Straw: 1 for 3, one RBI
Ty France: 0 for 3, one RBI
Davis Schneider: 0 for 3, one strikeout
George Springer: 0 for 3
Vladimir Guerrero: 2 for 2, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Scherzer

Andrew McCutchen: 8 for 41, three doubles, one home run, three RBI, three walks, 17 strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 3 for 26, one double, one RBI, one walk, 12 strikeouts
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 4 for 8, two doubles, one strikeout

Tidbits

Paul Skenes allowed a run at PNC Park for the first time since June 3. He had recorded five-straight scoreless home starts prior to allowing two runs in six innings on Monday night.
Alexander Canario recorded his first hit since June 7 with an RBI single in the second. It snapped an 0-for-21 slump.
Mitch Keller has a 5.21 ERA in 62 career starts during the second half of the season. He has a 4.13 ERA in 91 appearances/81 starts in the first half.

Links

Perrotto: Prospects Are Nice but Pennants Are Better

Pirates Q&A: Other Position Player Prospects Who Could Help, Futures of Cherington and Kelly

Pirates Capitalize on Blue Jays Miscues for Win; Paul Skenes No-Decision After Solid Start

EXCLUSIVE: How the Greensboro Grasshoppers Made History With Two Perfect Games in Nine Days

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