In an exceptional display of pitching prowess, Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-hander Paul Skenes demonstrated why he is rapidly emerging as one of Major League Baseball’s brightest stars. Making his 11th start of the season, Skenes held the Milwaukee Brewers hitless through seven innings, showcasing exceptional control and power on the mound.
Throwing 99 pitches, Skenes notched 11 strikeouts and issued just one walk, dominating the Brewers' lineup with a mix of sharp breaking balls and high-velocity fastballs. Despite his dominant performance, Manager Derek Shelton made the call to lift Skenes from the game after the seventh inning, a decision that underscored the careful management of the young pitcher’s workload.
Skenes expressed understanding of Shelton's decision, having only surpassed the 100-pitch threshold in four of his 11 starts. "I wasn't going to be surprised either way, if he sent me out or pulled me," Skenes shared post-game. "We have Holderman and (Aroldis) Chapman at the back end of our bullpen, so I think those are probably, I think, two of the best guys in the league so I have a ton of trust in them to finish it. Obviously, in a 1-0 game you want to stay in there, you want to finish it, but the volume's getting up there a little bit so I get it."
Indeed, the trust in the bullpen was well-founded. Colin Holderman took over in the eighth inning, although he quickly surrendered a hit to the first batter he faced, ending the combined no-hit bid. Nevertheless, Holderman, along with Aroldis Chapman and the rest of the bullpen, held firm to preserve a narrow 1-0 lead and secure the victory against the Brewers.
Reflecting on Skenes' performance and the team's current standing, it's clear that the Pirates’ playoff aspirations are not without merit. Sitting with a record of 45-48, the Pirates are very much in the National League wild-card race, buoyed by a series of inspired outings from Skenes and other key players.
Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Skenes has been nothing short of spectacular. Over his first 10 starts, he posted a 2.12 ERA, with an impressive 6.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Following his latest outing, his ERA has further improved to a stellar 1.90. Such consistent excellence has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s greats, underscored by the fact that Skenes has now become only the second pitcher in American League/National League history to record multiple starts of six or more innings without allowing a hit while striking out at least 11 batters. The only other pitcher to achieve this feat is the legendary Nolan Ryan.
The emergence of Skenes as a top-tier starter has undoubtedly energized the Pirates' fanbase and injected renewed optimism into the team’s playoff push. Manager Derek Shelton's handling of Skenes’ workload, a topic of much conversation, seems to be paying dividends as the team navigates a grueling season.
The resilience shown by the Pirates, especially in tight games like this one against the Brewers, where every pitch and every at-bat carries weight, speaks volumes about the character and potential of the squad. The challenge lies in sustaining this level of performance as they fight for a playoff berth in a highly competitive National League.
As the season progresses, the performances of Skenes and the bullpen will continue to be pivotal. The ability of the Pirates to rely on their pitching depth, combined with timely hitting and sound managerial decisions, will determine their fate in the wild-card race. The impressive start to Skenes’ MLB career is not only a testament to his talent but also a beacon of hope for a franchise aiming to return to October baseball.