Pirates-Guardians series preview: Paul Skenes set for showdown? Carmen Mlodzinski vs. familiar face?

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Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles previews the team's three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians this weekend.

Carmen Mlodzinski starts Friday night against former Pirate Luis Ortiz. What does Mlodzinksi need to show in order to shore up his place in the starting rotation? Is getting through the Guardians order twice the key? How will the bullpen perform now that it's rested thanks to some solid starting pitching performances this week against the Nationals?

Noah also breaks down some of the likely pitching matchups as NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes looks set to face Ben Lively and Mitch Keller faces off against Logan Allen. How can the Pirates generate enough offense to come on top of those games?

Finally, Noah breaks down the Guardians' start to the season. Numbers show they're about average across the board so far this year, but will this team that made the playoffs last season start to kick it into gear this weekend? Noah answers those questions and more.