The Pittsburgh Pirates are kicking off the 2026 season with plenty of buzz and expectations from their fanbase. General Manager Ben Cherington is feeling the heat, having yet to deliver a winning season for the team. Adding to the intrigue is the future of their ace, Paul Skenes.
Coming off a stellar 2025 season where he snagged the National League Cy Young Award, Skenes proved why he's considered one of MLB's elite pitchers. Despite the Pirates' struggles in providing run support, Skenes' dominance on the mound was undeniable.
This makes 2026 a pivotal year for both Skenes and the Pirates. With free agency looming, the Pirates are eager to lock him down with a contract extension. However, Skenes is holding out, wanting to see if Pittsburgh can assemble a winning team.
As we dive into the 2026 season, here are three bold predictions for Skenes.
Pirates fans have endured some tough seasons, watching Skenes deliver jaw-dropping performances without the wins to show for it, largely due to lackluster run support. In 2025, the Pirates' offense ranked last in MLB in runs, home runs, and RBIs.
Determined to change that narrative, Pittsburgh made some key offseason acquisitions. They've added Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna to bolster their lineup.
Plus, they've got Konnor Griffin, a top prospect known for his power at the plate. These new faces should provide the spark Skenes needs.
With this newfound firepower, it's reasonable to anticipate a boost in Skenes' win tally for 2026. His career-high for wins stands at 11, set in 2024. This season, fans should gear up to see Skenes surpass that mark with more than 12 victories.
Skenes has been a fixture in the last two All-Star games, even starting for the National League in 2024 despite not being on the Opening Day roster. Expect this trend to continue in 2026. With more wins likely coming his way, another All-Star nod seems inevitable.
Skenes is clearly up for the challenge, as he expressed, “We’ve got a lot of talent and buy-in to the culture we’re creating. Everyone’s pushing in the same direction, and now it’s time to do it for 162 games.”
These words resonate with Pirates fans, signaling Skenes' commitment to winning. But can he lead the team to victory?
The boldest prediction of all is Skenes spearheading a postseason run. With a potential lockout looming at the end of 2026, this might be his last shot at October glory in Pittsburgh.
Given the competitive landscape of the NL Central, where three teams made the playoffs in 2025-including the Reds with just 83 wins-there's a realistic path for the Pirates. If they make it, Skenes will undoubtedly be the driving force. With a career ERA of 1.96, he's got the skills to carry this team.
The Pirates haven't seen postseason action since 2015, finishing last season at 71-91. But with Skenes leading the charge, there's hope that this year could break the drought.