Story perspectives

Paul Skenes Shines with 203 Strikeouts, Cy Young Hope

9/12/2025

Summary

Skenes' Cy Young Contender

Paul Skenes achieved 203 strikeouts in the 2025 season, positioning himself as a contender for the NL Cy Young Award.
Manager Don Kelly removed Skenes after five scoreless innings to manage his workload and ensure his health for future seasons.
Skenes boasts a league-best ERA of 1.92, completing five scoreless innings in 11 starts.
The Pirates have clinched their seventh consecutive losing season with a record of 64-83.
Skenes is the second Pirates pitcher since 1901 to reach 200 strikeouts in 180 innings or fewer.

Summary

Pirates' Losing Streak

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 3-2 to the Baltimore Orioles on September 11, 2025, marking their sixth straight defeat.
They struggled offensively, finishing 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position during the series.
Johan Oviedo pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs, while Paul Skenes recorded his 200th strikeout of the season earlier.
Manager Don Kelly cited workload management for Skenes' early removal in a recent game.
The Pirates' record now stands at 64-83, clinching their seventh consecutive losing season.

History

Historical Context

The Pittsburgh Pirates, established in 1882, experienced significant success in the early 1900s, winning their first World Series in 1909. After a resurgence in the early 1990s, marked by three consecutive division titles from 1990 to 1992, the team faced a 20-year playoff drought until 2013. Paul Skenes' 203 strikeouts in 2024 reflect the franchise's historical pitching legacy.

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Skenes' Cy Young Contender

Paul Skenes achieved 203 strikeouts in the 2025 season, positioning himself as a contender for the NL Cy Young Award.
Manager Don Kelly removed Skenes after five scoreless innings to manage his workload and ensure his health for future seasons.
Skenes boasts a league-best ERA of 1.92, completing five scoreless innings in 11 starts.
The Pirates have clinched their seventh consecutive losing season with a record of 64-83.
Skenes is the second Pirates pitcher since 1901 to reach 200 strikeouts in 180 innings or fewer.

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