Baseball

Paul Skenes’ Early Brilliance Fades in a Hectic Third Season

A deep dive into the Pirates ace's slump, the 2026 All-Star voting dynamics, and recent league controversies

When Paul Skenes burst onto the majors, his debut was nothing short of meteoric. The Pittsburgh Pirates' right‑hander earned a Cy Young Award and the National League Rookie of the Year honor within his first two seasons, quickly establishing himself as a frontline ace.

Now in his third campaign, the shine has dulled. Skenes has failed to register a win in his last nine starts, a stretch that has seen his ERA settle at a respectable 3.62 but his win‑loss record stuck at 0‑0 over that span.

The 2026 All-Star Game Landscape

The second phase of voting for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game has already trimmed the candidate pool to two finalists at each position and six outfielders, a development that could influence Skenes’s visibility in the upcoming selections.

Meanwhile, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen appeared on a separate podcast, offering remarks about the club’s direction that have sparked chatter among fans and analysts alike.

Adding to the week’s headlines, a brawl between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals resulted in suspensions, underscoring that on‑field tensions remain a persistent undercurrent across the league.

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