This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Manager Don Kelly said that Skenes won't start Sunday's game against the Red Sox as planned and will instead make his next start Wednesday versus the Tigers at PNC Park, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Kelly indicated that no injury was behind the decision to push Skenes off Sunday's start, as the Pirates simply wanted to build in more rest for their ace in advance of his next appearance. The Pirates will turn to reliever Lake Bachar to make a spot start Sunday in place of Skenes, who will get some extra time off after submitting a 6.52 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over his last four outings. Skenes threw just 65 pitches over five innings in his most recent start Tuesday in Miami and averaged 95.7 mph with his fastball, which was down a tick from his season-long average.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Paul Skenes: Outdueled on Tuesday
Rotowire
Skenes (9-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Marlins. He struck out four.
Pittsburgh's hitters couldn't solve Eury Perez and the Miami bullpen, giving Skenes no margin for error in a solid outing. While Skenes made an early exit after 65 pitches (45 strikes), manager Don Kelly told Jason Mackey of MLB.com after the game that there was no injury concern with the right-hander. Instead, the game situation presented Kelly with an opportunity to give the 24-year-old right-hander a bit of extra rest. Skenes has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs in 14.1 innings over his prior three starts, and his fastball velocity was down over one tick Tuesday, averaging 95.7 mph. Skenes will look to rally in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox.
Skenes (9-10) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss versus the Brewers on Wednesday.
Skenes has walked a season-high four batters in each of his last two starts. He's also allowed 13 runs over his last 14.1 innings, marking another rough patch in a season that has seen the right-hander struggle much more than his first two seasons. He threw just 53 of 93 pitches for strikes in Wednesday's outing. For the season, Skenes has a 3.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 162:36 K:BB through 129.2 innings. He's projected to make his next start at Miami.
Skenes didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-7 loss to the Reds, coughing up five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out seven.
The star right-hander managed only one clean inning before getting the hook after 100 pitches (65 strikes), and Skenes served up homers to JJ Bleday in the third inning and Sal Stewart in the fourth while issuing a season high in free passes. It's the first time since July 1 that he's been taken deep at all, but Skenes would just as soon put the month behind him -- over six outings and 31.2 innings, he stumbled to a 6.25 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Milwaukee.
Skenes (9-9) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Skenes was locked in a pitcher's duel with Shota Imanaga before allowing three runs in the fifth inning and being charged with two more after departing with one out in the sixth. It snapped a three-start winning streak during which Skenes yielded three earned runs or fewer, though he did generate 22 whiffs on 105 pitches while posting a season-high 11 punchouts Saturday. The 24-year-old owns a 3.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 149:28 K:BB across 120.2 innings this season and will aim to rebound in a road matchup with the Reds next week.
Skenes (9-8) earned the win against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
Skenes allowed a run in the third inning but was impressive otherwise, generating 18 whiffs on 100 pitches en route to his third straight win. After surrendering seven earned runs in his first July start, the All-Star has yielded just five over his three victories since. He owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 138:26 K:BB across 115.1 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.
1:00
1:57
1:59
1:47
0:42
1:59
2:01
7:12
1:02
0:55
1:19
0:48
1:37
7:53
1:03
1:00
1:02
0:51
1:14
1:00
