Unless you’re a fan that only focuses on your one team, major matchups are exciting-even when they are occasionally contrived by MLB. I’m sure that some people think the hype surrounding 2023, 1st pick overall, Paul Skenes is an MLB marketing ploy.

I get the skepticism especially when the focus is on a Yankee, Met, Red Sox player or a Dodger. MLB and ESPN’s fingerprints are all over those players and teams. That Skenes has gotten off to a promising start and that he pitches in Pittsburgh with the Pirates sort of absolves the marketers.

I honestly don’t know if FOX or ESPN is calling today’s game between the Skenes Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers. I know they are hyping the battle between Shohei Ohtani and Skenes though. James Paxton and his 5-0 start are sort of the undercard.

While Skenes will be put to the test by the potent Dodgers (the game has already started as I type this) offense, Jared Jones passed the same test last night. Jones pitched 6 shutout innings in last night’s game against the Dodgers and former Pirate starter, Tyler Glasnow. The Pirates won 1-0, Yowza!

Within the baseball community, the Skenes-Jones combo is big news. This afternoon as I was listening to the Brewers postgame show on the radio, Brewers’ broadcaster, Josh Maurer excitedly previewed the pitching matchup. Real baseball fans, like broadcasters who have worked their way up through the minors, appreciate great stories and the potential of future stars.

With so many mediocre hitters in the game today, it’s hardly a surprise that there are a number of exciting young pitchers making their names. While not a youngster, it’s been equally enjoyable to watch and follow each of Shota Imanaga’s starts for the Cubs. Fans of contenders outside of Chicago are probably tracking Garrett Crochet’s starts as he apparently is available for the right trade. That’s a harder watch as the Sox offense has been pretty ugly to date.

It’s been a while since the NL Central had more than a few starting pitchers that were deluxe and as someone who grew up with a large stable of true aces, I look forward to seeing Jones and Skenes succeed.