It was the last of three homers that the Cubs hit off Skenes in the fifth inning, following Dansby Swanson and Kyle Tuckers’ solo shots. Those three runs gave the Cubs their first lead of the game. And for good measure, Suzuki added a two-run homer in the seventh inning off reliever Kyle Nicolas.

Paul Skenes could tell during his pregame bullpen session on Thursday that he wasn't quite right. The Chicago Cubs then went out and offered tangible proof, taking the Pittsburgh ace deep three times in the fifth inning of what became an 8-3 Pirates loss on Thursday in a performance that was decidedly unSkenes-like,

Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, just posted the least dominant and arguably worst start of his career.