Skenes Impresses: 1.97 ERA and Records with the Pirates

The ace of the [Pittsburgh Pirates](https://www.mlb.com/pirates) Paul Skenes, although not focused on numbers, maintains high standards for himself. In his final scheduled start of the season, the 23-year-old right-hander allowed four hits and struck out seven in six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.97. Skenes became the first qualified pitcher with an ERA below 2.00 since Justin Verlander in 2022. Furthermore, he is the youngest pitcher with an ERA below 2.00 since Dwight Gooden, aged 20, achieved a 1.53 in 1985.

Actually, I’m worse than last year. It was 1.96 last year. This year I’m at 1.97. I just have to be better. No, it’s great. I don’t go into the year with numerical goals.

Paul Skenes

In the second inning, Skenes struck out Spencer Steer, achieving his 211th strikeout, setting a Pirates franchise record for a right-handed pitcher in a single season, surpassing Mitch Keller’s 210 in 2023. At the end of the season, he totaled 216 strikeouts.

There will be many records that Paul Skenes will have as his career continues. How he prepares. How he competes. What a great start today and what a season he has had.

Don Kelly, Pirates manager

Skenes is considered the favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award, but he claims he hasn’t thought much about the award. With a 10-10 record, he would be the first starter to win a Cy Young with a losing record. Also, his 10 wins would tie Jacob deGrom in 2018 for the fewest wins for a starting pitcher to win the Cy Young Award, excluding the year 2020.

Unfortunately, you can’t have two guys winning the Cy Young. I don’t really know how my numbers compare to others, so we’ll see.

Paul Skenes

On Wednesday night, Skenes faced Reds right-hander Hunter Greene in a stellar pitching duel in front of an announced crowd of 30,725, creating a playoff atmosphere at Great American Ball Park, with the Reds chasing a National League wild card spot. Skenes responded by lowering his career effectiveness against the Reds to 0.31 in five starts. He has pitched 28 consecutive scoreless innings against Cincinnati. It was Skenes’ 12th scoreless outing this season.

Facing Greene will be a battle. The atmosphere was electric. Hopefully we have that in Pittsburgh next year. Having an ERA below 2.00 is great, but it’s about winning.

Paul Skenes

Skenes’ 1.97 ERA is the second-best mark for a qualified Pirates pitcher since Wilbur Cooper’s 1.87 in 1916. His 1.96 ERA in his first 55 starts is the lowest for any pitcher in that span since 1913. His 0.95 WHIP is the second-lowest for a Pirates pitcher in a single season, only surpassed by Babe Adams’ 0.90 in 1919. Of all his statistical achievements this season, the ones that stand out most for Skenes relate to his workload and endurance. He pitched 187 1/3 innings this year, after pitching 133 last season, and made 32 starts.

How many starts did I throw? That and 32 openings. I made all my openings. That’s great. It’s a product of doing what you’re supposed to do, making pitches throughout the year.

Paul Skenes