MLB podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 17, 2025: Pirates Skenes will he have another Cy Young type season?; Braves Strider returns after missing last season; plus more news

Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes (30) pitches to the Washington Nationals in the first inning on Mon Apr 14, 2025 in Pittsburgh (AP News photo)

MLB podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 17, 2025

#1 There is a lot of talk about the Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes who is now considered an All Star. During the 2024 season Skenes had himself a season going 11-3 ERA 1.96 and so far this season is 2-1 ERA 2.96. Skenes says that he does focus when he gets some quite time and that brings him out on the field to make those starts. Can you talk about his skill as a pitcher and can he repeat the kind of season he had last year?

#2  Atlanta Braves right handed pitcher Spencer Strider faced the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday and threw five plus innings allowed two runs, struck out five, walked one and hit one batter in an 3-1 loss and it was Strider’s first appearance since he had surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

#3 Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt who was working first base took a line drive that hit him in the face. Wendelstedt the son of former umpire Harry Wendelstedt hit the ground after being hit off the bat by New York Mets center fieldr Tyrone Taylor in the seventh inning. Taylor and Minnesota Twins pitcher Louis Varland reacted in shock after seeing the ball hit Wendelstedt.

#4 The Chicago White Sox who got lit up by the Sacramento A’s 12-3 on Tuesday night at Rate Field designated right hand pitcher Mike Clevenger for assignment on Wednesday. Clevenger allowed three runs in the top of the ninth inning in Tuesday’s game. He had been struggling with an 0-2 record and an ERA of 7.94 in five appearances so far this year. He was 9-14 in 28 starts and eight relief appearances for the Sox.

#5 Miguel, finally talk about the job that San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee has been doing he’s hitting .333, 21 hits, 3 home runs, and 12 RBIs. He’s played some outstanding defense and went two for three with two hits and two runs scored in his last game on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

Join Michael Duca for the MLB podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com