What happened: Paul Skenes completed his final spring training outing on March 21 versus the Blue Jays, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out five over four scoreless innings on 65 pitches. Despite a dip in velocity, the Pirates' top pitcher reported feeling good post-start. The performance caps a solid spring for the highly regarded right-hander.

Why it matters: As Pittsburgh's ace and a cornerstone of their contention push, Skenes' health and form are pivotal for the Pirates' playoff aspirations in the NL Central. Historical context: Skenes has emerged as one of MLB's elite starters since his debut.

What to watch: Monitor Pirates' Opening Day rotation reveal and Skenes' first regular-season start, potentially March 27 on normal rest.