Paul Skenes takes the mound for Pittsburgh at PNC Park on Thursday, September 24 at 12:35 PM ET as the Pirates close out a late-season home series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Skenes faces Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy in what shapes up as a classic pitching-versus-offense test. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight in the NL Central standings, and the Pirates are playing in front of their home crowd on a Thursday afternoon that deserves a packed lower deck.

Probable Pitchers: Paul Skenes vs. Kyle Leahy

There is no gentle way to say it — having Skenes on the hill is an advantage. The Pirates' ace gives Pittsburgh a legitimate shot to win any game he starts, and a Thursday afternoon start at PNC Park is exactly the kind of showcase moment the franchise built toward when they drafted him. His stuff speaks for itself; the outing will speak for him today.

Leahy draws the start for St. Louis. The Cardinals' right-hander has worked his way into the rotation and will be tested early if the Pirates lineup puts together quality at-bats against him.

Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup

• 1. Oneil Cruz — CF
• 2. Konnor Griffin — SS
• 3. Brandon Lowe — 2B
• 4. Ryan O'Hearn — DH
• 5. Nick Gonzales — 3B
• 6. Ronny Simon — RF
• 7. Spencer Horwitz — 1B
• 8. Jake Mangum — LF
• 9. Henry Davis — C

St. Louis Cardinals Starting Lineup

• 1. JJ Wetherholt — 2B
• 2. Iván Herrera — C
• 3. Alec Burleson — 1B
• 4. Jordan Walker — RF
• 5. Leo Bernal — DH
• 6. Bryan Torres — LF
• 7. Thomas Saggese — 3B
• 8. Nathan Church — CF
• 9. Masyn Winn — SS

Keys to Watch in This Game

Can the Pirates Lineup Solve Leahy Early?

Oneil Cruz leading off in center field sets the tone at the top. Cruz has the kind of raw tools that can change a game in a single at-bat — if he gets on base and uses his speed, the pressure on Leahy builds immediately. Brandon Lowe hitting third brings a professional approach that can work a count, and Ryan O'Hearn in the cleanup spot as DH gives the Pirates a left-handed bat with pop in a spot where production matters most.

Konnor Griffin in the Two-Hole

Griffin batting second at shortstop is worth tracking. Slotting a young player in that lineup position on a September afternoon tells you something about where the organization sees his development. His at-bats alongside Cruz at the top of the order could determine Pittsburgh's offensive rhythm early in the game.

Henry Davis Behind the Dish

Davis catches Skenes, which is its own storyline. The way Davis manages the game plan against a Cardinals lineup that includes Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson in the heart of the order will matter. St. Louis has enough bats to make Skenes work, and Davis's pitch-framing and game-calling will be part of the equation.

Prediction

Skenes gives the Pirates a clear edge in this matchup. Pittsburgh wins at PNC Park, 4-1, with Skenes delivering seven strong innings and the offense doing just enough against Leahy in the middle frames. Cruz and O'Hearn do the damage.

Coverage begins at 12:35 PM ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 100.1 FM/KDKA-AM 1020.