Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes said he has more to work on following a recent series of pitching struggles.
As a cornerstone of the Pirates rotation, Skenes' ability to regain his early-season form is critical for the team's stability on the mound during the 2026 season.
The struggles became evident after a rocky outing on Wednesday that pushed Skenes' earned run average (ERA) to 3.95 [1]. This figure represents a significant increase from the start of the season, when his career mark stood at 1.96 [1].
Skenes said he recognizes the gap between his current performance and his previous benchmarks. The rise in his ERA is more than double the mark he held at the beginning of the year [1].
Despite the dip in statistics, Skenes remains focused on his development. He said he is intent on staying the course to improve his performance for the remainder of the year [3].
The pitcher is now working to identify the specific adjustments needed to lower his ERA and return to the dominance he displayed earlier this season. This period of adjustment comes as the Pirates look to maintain their competitive position in the league, a goal that depends heavily on the efficiency of their ace.
Skenes said he sees room to grow as he navigates this rough patch in his 2026 campaign [1].
“Skenes' ERA rose to 3.95, more than double his early-season mark of 1.96.”
The fluctuation in Skenes' ERA highlights the volatility often faced by young ace pitchers as opposing teams gather more data on their pitching patterns. A jump from a 1.96 to a 3.95 ERA suggests a period of adjustment where the pitcher must evolve his approach to maintain effectiveness throughout the 2026 season.
