PITTSBURGH -- Paul Skenes hasn’t recorded a win since May 12, when he allowed just two hits across eight innings against the Rockies. Since then, Skenes has given up 13 earned runs in 26 innings.
Skenes still holds a 2.84 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He began the Pirates' six-game homestand against the Dodgers on June 9. Skenes will close out the homestand against the Marlins on Sunday, looking to return to the win column for the first time in over a month. Here’s everything to know ahead of Skenes’ 15th start of 2026.
Last time out:
Against Los Angeles, Skenes allowed two runs in six innings to keep Pittsburgh tied into the seventh inning. The Pirates’ bullpen then allowed 10 runs in the seventh inning to lose the series opener.
Skenes used his fastball more than normal, throwing it 47% of the time. He entered the contest throwing the pitch 36.2% of the time. The four-seamer produced 12 whiffs, and Skenes said postgame that it probably was the best he executed the pitch in a few outings. He threw 62 strikes out of 103 pitches, just enough to put him over the 60% mark. It was the sixth-worst strike percentage performance of his career.
Facing Miami:
Skenes has faced the Marlins twice before, accumulating a 2.38 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. He struck out 16 across the two games and walked just three.
Miami second baseman Xavier Edwards has tallied two hits and a walk in six plate appearances against Skenes. Shortstop Otto Lopez has two hits in four at-bats. Skenes has the upper hand on outfielder Kyle Stowers, who has struck out in three of four at-bats.
Stat to know: 5% walk rate
Through his first two MLB seasons and change, Skenes has been historically good at not allowing free passes. He walked a combined 74 batters in 320 2/3 innings across 2024 and 2025.
This season, Skenes has walked 15 batters in 76 innings, making for a 5% walk rate. The mark ranks in the 95th percentile among all MLB pitchers.