Alec Burleson

Rookie Paul Skenes lost for the first time in 12 career major league starts, giving up Alec Burleson's tiebreaking single in the ninth inning that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Skenes struck out eight and walked nobody on the day, but he made two crucial mistakes, including a solo home run to Nolan Arenado. The Pirates kept him in with that game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, but Skenes allowed a lead-off double to Michael Siani and then an RBI single to Alec Burleson that would be the difference. The impressive rookie posted a solid 20 percent whiff rate and 32 percent CSW and will get another tough test next week against the Astros.

The 25-year-old just continues to produce. He's now up to 18 home runs and 59 RBI on the season while hitting .294./.324/.500. He has emerged as an everyday player in St. Louis and should be started in all fantasy formats right now.

Burleson continued his hot hitting and gave the Cardinals an early lead in this one with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning after Masyn Winn led off the game with a triple. He then added on RBI singles in the second and ninth innings. The 25-year-old is coming into his own at the plate -- hitting .292/.323/.492 with 17 homers, 57 RBI and seven stolen bases.

Morton took the ball for the opening contest of Saturday's doubleheader at Truist Park and managed to put zeroes on the scoreboard until the sixth inning when Alec Burleson came through with a tie-breaking single to right field following a leadoff triple from rookie Masyn Winn. He notched four strikeouts and only handed out one free pass. The 40-year-old ageless veteran will carry a 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 101/39 K/BB ratio across 103 1/3 innings (18 starts) into a road matchup against the Mets on Thursday.