Skenes is first Pirates starter with consecutive 200-K seasons in 60 years
This browser does not support the video element.
PITTSBURGH -- A year ago, Paul Skenes was on top of the world.
In his final start of 2025, also on Sept. 24, Skenes put the finishing touches on a National League Cy Young campaign, going four scoreless to keep his ERA under 2.00 for the year.
Fast forward a season later, on the same date, Skenes fought to keep his ERA under 4.00 in his final start. Skenes finished a bumpy 2026 on a positive note, allowing one run in 6 1/3 innings in the Pirates' 2-1 win over the Cardinals in Thursday afternoon's home finale at PNC Park.
Skenes logged a 3.82 ERA and 200 strikeouts in ‘26, becoming the first Pirates starter with consecutive seasons of 200-plus K’s since Bob Veale (1964-66).
St. Louis took the lead on Skenes in the top of the first with a solo homer by Alec Burleson. After Burleson’s shot, the Pirates tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on a single by Brandon Lowe. A stalemate then took place throughout the afternoon.
Skenes mowed down Cardinals batters, recording eight strikeouts and allowing three hits and two walks. He induced soft contact, and even played some defense to turn a 1-6-3 double play to end the fifth inning.
This browser does not support the video element.
As he trotted out for the sixth with 81 pitches, Skenes retired the side in order. He then came out for the seventh at 90 pitches, and one strikeout away from 200. He took down Leo Bernal for his 200th before being lifted in favor of reliever Yohan Ramirez in a 1-1 tie.
Skenes has been fairly open about the struggles in 2026 compared to his first two seasons, as his ERA nearly doubled with a dip in velocity.
This browser does not support the video element.
"I learned a lot,” Skenes said after his previous start on Sept. 18. “We can talk about it after my next start, or a little more in depth, but yeah, everything. From offseason to Spring Training, early in the season, stuff like that. I don't want to say everything's gone right my first two years, because I think you create your own luck, whatever the sayings are. I think in a lot of ways the pendulum has swung the other way this year.
“But in terms of controllables, I think I've learned a lot. When I show up at Spring Training next year, I'll have more of an answer. I'll have a lot of time to think about it.”
Still, Skenes turned in a strong season with room for a bounce back entering his fourth year in the Majors.