Pirates Reshuffle Rotation for Giants Series, Move Jones to Angels Opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates have altered their starting pitching plans for the series against the San Francisco Giants, moving Jared Jones to start the opener against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 4. Paul Skenes will start the series opener on Sept. 1, Bubba Chandler on Sept. 2, and a bullpen game will close the series on Sept. 3. Skenes is coming off a scoreless outing against the Padres, his first in over three months.

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The rotation shuffle gives Paul Skenes a chance to build on his first scoreless start since May, coming against a Giants lineup that ranks among the weaker offensive units in the league. His velocity and command issues had plagued him through 17 starts, producing a 5.06 ERA and a 3-9 record before the Padres outing.

Chandler has emerged as a reliable second-half starter with a 2.95 ERA since the All-Star break. The bullpen game approach stems