UPDATE: Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has officially surpassed 200 strikeouts for the first time in his career, reaching a remarkable 203 K’s after fanning eight Baltimore Orioles batters during a thrilling game on July 26, 2023. However, the Pirates fell short in a 2-1 loss that extended their losing streak.
In a strategic move, manager Don Kelly decided to remove Skenes after a season-low 64 pitches, prioritizing his workload management as the season approaches its final stretch. “I probably needed it, to be honest,” Skenes acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of making every start this season.
The 23-year-old standout has maintained a stellar 1.92 ERA across 178 innings, a significant improvement from last season’s combined total of 160.1 innings in both the majors and Triple-A. “Throwing 160 innings all in the big leagues is not the same,” Skenes explained, highlighting the challenges of his rookie year.
Despite the loss marking the Pirates’ 82nd defeat of the season, which guarantees a seventh consecutive season below .500, Skenes’ performance remains a bright spot. He has now completed five scoreless innings without allowing a run in 11 starts, with eight of those outings occurring since July. Notably, he is only the second Pirates starter since 1901 to achieve 200 strikeouts in fewer than 180 innings, following Oliver Perez‘s feat in 2004.
Looking ahead, Kelly stated that Skenes’ late-season workload will be evaluated on a start-by-start basis. “Just trying to make sure that we’re managing their workload,” Kelly confirmed, stressing the importance of keeping players healthy for the remainder of the season and beyond.
As the Pirates prepare for their upcoming games, all eyes will be on Skenes as he seeks to solidify his place as a leading contender for the National League Cy Young Award. With key matchups on the horizon, fans are eager to see how the talented right-hander will continue to shape his promising career.
