Pirates Struggle as Paul Skenes Faces Seventh Consecutive Loss

The Pittsburgh Pirates are grappling with a troubling trend as they dropped their seventh consecutive game with ace Paul Skenes on the mound following Saturday’s contest against the Colorado Rockies. The team’s struggles have raised eyebrows and sparked debate over Skenes’ performance in his third big league season, with many questioning whether the 23-year-old right-hander is experiencing a downturn in form.

Critics have noted a decrease in Skenes’ velocity, which averaged 98.8 mph during his rookie season and 98.2 mph last year. Currently, he is averaging 97 mph on his fastball. Despite this dip, Skenes remains confident in his ability, asserting that he is pitching better than ever. “I don’t think I’m necessarily the same pitcher I was my rookie year and last year,” he explained. “I do think I’m throwing better. I’m very happy with how I’ve been throwing. I think I’ve evolved. If you’re not getting better in this game, you’re getting worse. I feel I’m better than I was last year.”

Skenes’ recent outings have not mirrored the dominance fans have come to expect, particularly during the third time through a lineup when his efficiency has waned. Observers noted during his matchup against the Houston Astros that opponents have adjusted their strategies, entering the box in a protective mode. This shift has led to longer at-bats where hitters aim to wear him down, often resulting in high pitch counts.

Indeed, Skenes has consistently reached over 100 pitches in his last five starts, with two earned runs surrendered in each of those contests, except for one. While he has been effective in limiting runs overall, he faces mounting pressure on the mound. The Pirates’ offense has struggled to provide adequate support, often falling silent during his starts. In particular, they were shut out against Philadelphia and managed just two runs against Toronto and the Cubs. Although the offense showed some life with nine runs against the Astros, the Pirates ultimately fell victim to a bullpen collapse, losing 11-9 after Skenes exited the game.

Manager Don Kelly’s lineup choices have not helped Skenes’ cause, with key players like Ryan O’Hearn often absent while underperformers like Marcell Ozuna and Jared Triolo receive regular at-bats. Henry Davis, who catches for Skenes, has also struggled offensively, further complicating the situation. The inconsistent lineup has raised questions about the overall support Skenes receives, especially during this challenging stretch.

Defensively, the Pirates have not been as solid as in previous seasons. O’Hearn has been placed in unfamiliar positions, and Oneil Cruz has not consistently delivered the defensive prowess expected of a Gold Glove candidate. The rotation in the outfield and average infield performance have added to the Pirates’ struggles.

Despite these challenges, Skenes’ statistics still place him among baseball’s elite pitchers, though the atmosphere surrounding him has shifted. His teammate Brandon Lowe expressed faith in Skenes’ abilities, noting, “That’s one of the things that everybody in baseball has been clouded by: how great Paul has been in his first two years. When you can look at a guy who has a (2.85) ERA, and the media says he’s having a down year … it’s pretty incredible, the numbers he’s been able to put up and what he’s been able to do.”

Some have speculated that Skenes’ participation in the World Baseball Classic may have contributed to his recent struggles. However, he remains steadfast in his conditioning and is not worried about any perceived decline in velocity. “I mean, you can still blow it by them with 97 compared to 98,” he stated confidently. “I’m feeling better after starts compared to the last couple years. If it weren’t for a couple short outings, I’d have more innings under my belt. I’m conditioned to throw more innings than I have been throwing.”

Kelly shares Skenes’ perspective, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced outlook. “I think we are trying to keep it in perspective. I think Paul has still done that, given us a chance to win, even though he hasn’t been maybe at the exceptional level he has been all of his career. He’s had stretches where he hasn’t been like that throughout the last two years. The preparation, the work ethic, the man and how he goes about it, he’s always going to give everything he’s got.”

Skenes is set to take the mound against the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game home stand after the Pirates’ upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.