Paul Skenes entered the 2026 season with high expectations after capturing the National League Cy Young Award in 2025, but the numbers tell a different story. In 97 innings he has surrendered 39 earned runs, yielding a 3.62 ERA that places him 30th among qualified starters. The Pirates have dropped each of the nine starts he has taken the mound, a streak that has left the young right-hander searching for answers.
Skenes has called the campaign 'weird' yet overall satisfying, emphasizing that the core of his struggle lies in execution. He admits that pitches have been left over the plate and that he is working to tighten his command.
A pivotal moment came against the Philadelphia Phillies, where Skenes allowed seven earned runs in what he described as his worst outing of the year. The inning was compounded by an error from catcher Henry Davis, which allowed two runs to score and shifted momentum in the opposition's favor.
Manager Don Kelly has publicly backed the pitcher, noting that Skenes is not overtaxing his arm and that the team is focused on tweaking his approach. He said the pitcher is close to a turnaround, highlighting Skenes’ willingness to adjust and refine his repertoire.
Beyond the individual narrative, the Pirates are reshaping their defensive schemes to reduce the pressure on their young star. Kelly suggested that a different positioning strategy could have prevented the Davis error, underscoring the collaborative effort to support Skenes.
A Path Forward
With the season still unfolding, Skenes remains optimistic that incremental improvements will translate into better results. The combination of refined pitch execution, strategic defensive alignment, and a supportive coaching staff could be the catalyst that ends the losing streak and restores the dominance that earned him the Cy Young.