BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day. Pretty easy call for manager Derek Shelton. Skenes is coming off a dominant performance in his first season in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh in 2024, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year winner, will get the ball when the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Miami Marlins on March 27.

Major League Baseball's 2025 Opening Day is less than two weeks away. As such, it is never too early to keep tabs on each team's Opening Day starter. These announcements have come in throughout spring training,