Cincinnati Showdown: Skenes' Solid Comeback
Pirates ace Paul Skenes took the mound against the Reds on Wednesday, looking to rebound from a rocky Opening Day performance. And while his outing in Pittsburgh’s 8-3 victory wasn’t a jaw-dropping spectacle, it was a step in the right direction.
Skenes' line read: 5 innings pitched, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Not bad, but not the overwhelming dominance fans have come to expect from him. “It's a work in progress, still, but it's nice to give some volume and be out there for more than two-thirds of an inning,” Skenes quipped post-game, acknowledging the improvement.
Manager Don Kelly noted that Skenes' early exit after 77 pitches was strategic, aiming to gradually build him up for the long season ahead. With an ERA of 1.96 entering the season over 55 career starts, Skenes has set a high bar.
For many pitchers, Wednesday’s performance would be stellar, especially against a playoff team like the Reds. But for Skenes, it left us wanting a bit more.
His previous start was, to put it mildly, a disaster. Lasting less than an inning and giving up five earned runs, it was a rare blip for the usually reliable Skenes. Some defensive missteps didn’t help, but he also struggled with control, walking two and hitting a batter.
Heading into Cincinnati, the spotlight was on Skenes not just for his talent but to see how he'd respond. Against a team he has historically dominated-allowing just one run in 29 innings with 40 strikeouts before Wednesday-expectations were sky-high.
While he didn’t extend his scoreless streak against the Reds, Skenes still showed flashes of brilliance. Yet, walking TJ Friedl twice was uncharacteristic for him, given his past success against this lineup.
Expectations are a tricky thing. After nearly clinching the Cy Young as a rookie and winning it in his first full season, Skenes has set the bar at stratospheric levels. His Opening Day stumble was shocking, and many anticipated a commanding performance against the Reds.
Though he didn’t completely dominate, Skenes’ five innings were a positive step forward. The Pirates ace remains unfazed by outside chatter, focusing solely on the game. “Nothing matters except for the game,” he said, encapsulating the mindset of a true competitor.
As Skenes navigates Year 3, the challenge will be maintaining that elite level of play. If Wednesday is any indication, he’s on the right track, even if the journey isn’t always perfect.