In a heartfelt post‑game interview at PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes emphasized that he will not dwell on a season that fell short of the lofty standards he set in his first two years. After delivering 6 1/3 solid innings in the Pirates’ 2‑1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, Skenes said, “I’m not going to sit around all offseason thinking about how bad this season was, because I just don’t think that’s true.”
Season recap
Skenes entered 2026 after winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and the Cy Young Award in 2025. While he did not repeat a sub‑2.00 ERA, his 10‑11 record and 3.82 ERA were respectable, though below his own expectations. The pitcher acknowledged periods of struggle, noting a dip in velocity from an average 98.2 mph the prior year to 96.8 mph this season, and a two‑month stretch from mid‑May to mid‑July in which he went winless.
He also surrendered career‑high totals in home runs (20) and walks (49), yet still managed to strike out 200 batters for the second consecutive season – a feat achieved by only one other Pirate, Bob Veale, in the 1960s.
Moments of brilliance
The season’s high point came during the final home game at PNC Park. With the team on the cusp of 200 strikeouts, Skenes threw a 95‑mph sinker on his 96th pitch that froze Cardinals hitter Leo Bernal, earning a strike‑three call from umpire Scott Barry. Manager Don Kelly praised the effort, saying, “He got what he deserved,” as the crowd rose from an initial boo to a standing ovation.
Team outlook
While the Pirates missed the playoffs, the club set franchise records for home runs and strikeouts, and endured the loss of key players Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz for extended periods. The team also blew 25 save opportunities, highlighting areas for improvement.
Skenes believes that better performance in June and July could have positioned Pittsburgh for a postseason run. He identified “low‑hanging fruit” and other offseason targets, emphasizing the importance of consistency and health.
Looking ahead
Beyond the mound, Skenes serves on the players’ association subcommittee negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. He stressed the responsibility of players and owners as stewards of the game, noting, “We have an opportunity… this is our game.”
With the offseason approaching, Skenes remains focused on preparation for 2027, confident that the lessons learned this year will translate into a stronger performance. “Everybody tells you, ‘You’ll be better off for it,’ and stuff like that,” he said. “We’ll see. I don’t think it’s going to hurt. I definitely learned a lot, but won’t know until you’re in it again.”
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
