Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has followed up his spectacular rookie season with more of the same elite production, including a 2.05 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts in 83.1 innings this year.
Despite ranking eighth in ERA, fourth in WHIP, and first in innings pitched among qualified MLB pitchers, Skenes has a 4-6 record, which reflects the extreme lack of run support he’s been getting from his teammates.
And now, after the latest 3-0 loss against the Houston Astros, Skenes reached an unwanted record amid the Pirates’ ongoing struggles to support their star pitcher.
Paul Skenes Makes History Due to Lack of Run Support
Following his latest tough-luck loss, Skenes became the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2000 to lose twice in a season in starts with over eight innings pitched, one run or fewer, one walk or fewer, and eight or more strikeouts.
Paul Skenes is the first pitcher since Pedro Martínez in 2000 to lose twice in a season in starts of 8+ IP, 1/0 R, 1/0 BB & 8+ K.
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) June 4, 2025
These were Skenes’ results in those two losses:
- May 18 @ Philadelphia Phillies: 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
- June 3 vs. Houston Astros: 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Those are two of the best starts of the season by any pitcher, yet Skenes lost them both as his team was shut out on both occasions.
Pittsburgh has one of the worst offenses in baseball, ranking ahead of only the historically bad Colorado Rockies in runs per game (3.18). As a result, it’s no wonder Skenes keeps losing.
Skenes Could Eventually Leave Pittsburgh
The Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since 2015 and are heading towards another dismal season. They have the third-worst record in baseball and are last in the NL Central at 22-39, 16.5 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs.
If Pittsburgh doesn’t turn things around in the next couple of years, Skenes could get traded. In truth, he could be traded much sooner than that.
Skenes is under team control until 2030, but there’s no way he’ll stay in Pittsburgh long term unless the team drastically improves. That could push the front office to trade Skenes before he reaches free agency if they don’t think they’ll be able to keep him.
The best path for the Pirates to keep Skenes is by fielding a contender and proving they’re committed to winning. To do that, they must add talent to their offense. Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds aren’t enough, so Pittsburgh must acquire more impact bats through trades or free agency. If they don’t, they run the risk of losing one of the best pitchers of his generation.