Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes experienced a career first on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs ( GameTracker ), and not of the positive manner he's grown accustomed to over the last year. Rather, Thursday's game represented the first time he has surrendered three home runs during an appearance at the big-league level.

Dansby Swanson, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki all took Pirates ace Paul Skenes deep in the fifth inning as the Cubs pulled away for an 8-3 victory

The Pittsburgh Pirates took an early lead, but the Chicago Cubs displayed their power and took the series finale, 8-3 at PNC Park. The Pirates also lost the series opener on April 29, 9-0, making it another series defeat.

Its a Paul Skenes Thursday. Its May 1 and Skenes and the Pirates (12-19) and the Cubs (18-13) wrap up a series in Pittsburgh. Colin Rea is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Skenes for Pittsburgh.

The Cubs opened this season series Tuesday with a 9-0 victory as moderate favorites (-145), while helping the total push (9) at most shops behind LHP Shota Imanaga. In Wednesday's game, the Pirates returned the favor,

Preview the May 2 matchup between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.