Concerns Rise Over Paul Skenes’ Performance in August
The beginning of August sees Major League Baseball fans growing anxious about Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher Paul Skenes. The ace struggled again on Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits in a loss against the Cincinnati Reds. This marks the second consecutive start where Skenes has allowed five runs. For Skenes, the month concluded poorly as he allowed at least five runs in three of his five starts, resulting in a 3.90 ERA. This is notably higher than his ERAs from 2024 and 2025.
Despite this, Skenes had some bright moments last month. He performed well in three starts, achieving a 3-0 record in the middle of the month, conceding only five earned runs over those games. So, not everything is negative; there are positive takeaways.
“What’s happened to Paul Skenes?” expressed concern among fans.
Recent statistics have caused worry among fans. Skenes hasn’t exceeded 98 MPH in his last four starts and has only reached this speed 95 times this season. In contrast, he topped 98 MPH nearly 900 times last year and about 700 times the previous year. This reduction in velocity is noteworthy, as Skenes has been known for a lively fastball over the past two years.
Skenes commented on this change, stating it was intentional. He told DK Pittsburgh Sports, “It’s been by design. It’s nothing I’ve been worried about.” Nonetheless, the numbers are concerning. His recent performance marked the end of a difficult month, as he allowed five runs in consecutive games for the first time in his career, completing only four innings.
Moreover, Skenes’ statistics reveal more challenges. Last year, he allowed only 41 earned runs. Through 23 starts in 2026, he has already allowed 54, indicating a significant increase. The situation raises questions about whether it’s just a temporary downturn or a significant issue.
Dan Zangrilli, the host of the Pirates’ pre- and post-game shows, shared his thoughts: “The ace didn’t ace. Far more questions than answers. For any of this to work, he has to.” His harsh critique highlights the concerns surrounding Skenes’ performance.