Pittsburgh Pirates writer critiques Paul Skenes' recent performance
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 3:12 AM
Last updated Jun 16, 2026
A Pirates writer expressed criticism of pitcher Paul Skenes, noting he hasn't completed the seventh inning in a month despite ranking 14th in MLB for ERA at 2.89. This comment has stirred debate about the expectations placed on Skenes as the team seeks to improve amid a postseason drought. The writer suggested that while it's unfair to gauge Skenes against legendary players like Michael Jordan, the team needs his performance to elevate. The discussion reflects broader concerns about the Pirates' offensive performance and rotation reliability as the season unfolds.
- •Paul Skenes has a 2.89 ERA, ranking 14th in MLB.
- •He has not pitched into the seventh inning in a month.
- •Expectations for Skenes have increased due to team improvements.
- •The Pirates seek to end their postseason drought this season.
- •Concerns exist about both the bullpen and offensive consistency.
- 3:12 AMYahoo Sports — Pirates Writer Suddenly Throwing Shade at Paul Skenes
"This season, I wouldn't say that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been perfect, but there definitely have been improvements on both sides of the baseball. It's almost crazy to say that the Pirates have been good, but can still be better, especially because they've been playing as well as they have in a very long time, and expectations typically aren't high for this organization.
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