Paul Skenes stood motionless in the third-base dugout, fingers idly scratching his beard-a rare moment of uncertainty for the ace. Fresh off a Cy Young award in 2025 and a stellar World Baseball Classic, expectations were sky-high for his Opening Day start against the Mets at Citi Field. But baseball has a way of humbling even the best.
Skenes was pulled in the first inning after giving up five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning, matching the most runs he’s allowed in a start and marking the shortest outing of his career. To put it in perspective, he allowed more runs in this single inning than he did in the first innings of all 32 starts combined last season.
“They did a really good job in the moment,” Skenes said after the Pirates’ 11-7 loss. “It’s frustrating, but I just have to execute better.”
The struggles weren’t solely on Skenes. A misjudged line drive by center fielder Oneil Cruz and a sun-lost fly ball turned routine plays into scoring opportunities for the Mets.
Yet, Skenes didn’t have his usual command. His seven-pitch arsenal faltered, leading to two walks and a hit batter among the nine batters he faced.
The Mets lineup, known for its discipline, refused to chase his mistakes.
After 37 pitches in the unseasonably warm weather, manager Don Kelly had no choice but to pull his ace. “Paul is a competitor,” Kelly said. “But when you approach 40 pitches in an inning, it’s a risk to his health.”
Skenes is the cornerstone of the Pirates’ hopes. Even with veterans like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn joining the team, much of their success hinges on him. He’s not just their ace-he’s their credibility and their hope for a playoff path.
“Paul means a ton to Pittsburgh,” Kelly added. “He embodies it every day. It’s his work between starts that sets him apart.”
Yet, baseball’s unpredictability was on full display Thursday. The Citi Field crowd, expecting to witness greatness, instead saw a rare falter.
Skenes was supposed to last longer, to dominate. Instead, it was a day to forget.
“It’s nice to get it out of the way,” Skenes remarked with a smirk, embracing the challenge that comes with being great. His teammate, Mitch Keller, summed it up: “He’s can’t-miss TV. You never know what you’ll see with his talent.”
Inside the clubhouse, wrapped in a blue towel, Skenes shrugged off the outing. It’s just one game in a long season, and he’s already proven himself as baseball’s premier starter.
“Just got to look at it pitch by pitch,” he reflected. “I’ll review it, but I’m not as upset as people might think.”
The Pirates might have questions to answer, but Skenes’ talent is unquestionable.