Skenes' Homecoming: Pirates Face Padres

On April 6, Pittsburgh pirates Ace Paul Schienz is finally bringing his heat home.

He's set to make his first start of the year at PNC Park on April 7 against the San Diego Padres, first pitch at 6.40pm.

This marks his major league night game debut and his first ever matchup against the Padres, the last National League team he hasn't faced.

Schienz had a bumpy season opener on March 26 versus the New York Mets,

where he didn't get out of the first inning after giving up five runs on 37 pitches.

But he bounced back strong on April 1 against the Cincinnati Reds, tossing five innings with five strikeouts, just one run and only 77.

Pitches and an 8-3 win. Fans are buzzing about this homecoming after nearly seven months since his last PNC Park start back on September 16 against the Chicago Cubs.

Schienz dominated in preseason with a 1.08 ERA for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, facing tough lineups from Mexico and the Dominican Republic, setting high expectations to chase another Sai Young.

The full series rotation shapes up nicely too.

Bubba Chandler takes the mound in the opener on April 6 for his first home start this year, coming off 4.1 innings against the Reds, with six strikeouts with some control issues.

Then Mitch Keller closes it out on April 8, fresh off back-to-back quality starts, including a win over the Orioles, though he's had rough history against San Diego.

With Schienz building momentum and the staff looking solid, this Padre series could spark the Pirates Early Fire Keep, an eye on PNC Park lighting up.

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