AP Sports Preview PITTSBURGH (Interstat) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at PNC Park, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and 71-degree weather. The Pirates (29-28) enter the series opener after a 7-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. Right-hander Paul Skenes (2-4, 4.11 ERA) took the loss, allowing one earned run over 5 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Skenes has struggled recently, losing three consecutive starts after opening May with consecutive eight-inning scoreless outings against Colorado and Arizona. He surrendered five earned runs in five innings against Philadelphia on May 17, then allowed four runs in five innings at Toronto on May 23. The Twins (27-30) arrive in Pittsburgh following a 6-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Right-hander Taj Bradley (5-1, 3.05 ERA) is scheduled to start for Minnesota. Bradley has been the Twins’ most consistent starter, winning four of his past five decisions. Reliever Andrew Morris has been a key contributor out of the Twins bullpen. Over his past 10 appearances, Morris has allowed three earned runs across 8 2/3 innings while striking out seven. He worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings Thursday, striking out three. Morris has allowed runs in only two of his past eight outings. The Twins have lost three of their past four games after taking two of three from Boston. Minnesota is 10-14 on the road this season. Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses over its past six games. The Pirates are 16-12 at home. The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 Minnesota victory, though the ELO system gives Pittsburgh a 56.4% probability to win. The Pirates are -1.5 favorites with an over/under of 8. Following this three-game series, the Twins return home to face the Chicago White Sox on Monday, while the Pirates travel to Houston to begin a three-game set Tuesday.