The Unfortunate Season of Paul Skenes with the Pittsburgh Pirates

In the 2025 Major League Baseball season, Paul Skenes, the ace pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, delivered an outstanding performance that defied conventional expectations. Despite posting a remarkable 1.96 ERA and leading the league with a 0.95 WHIP, Skenes finished the season with a 10-10 record. This paradoxical outcome has drawn attention to the Pirates' ongoing struggles to provide adequate run support for their star pitcher.

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Skenes became only the 18th pitcher since 1969 to complete a season with a sub-2.00 ERA, a sub-1.00 WHIP, and at least 180 innings pitched. In stark contrast, the average record of his predecessors in this category was 19-7. His performance included 216 strikeouts, yet he found himself with a record that mirrored a losing season, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Pirates' offense.

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Historically, pitchers with Skenes' statistical profile typically enjoy winning records. For instance, Jacob deGrom in 2018 had a 10-9 record with a 1.70 ERA, while Sam McDowell in 1968 achieved a 15-14 record with a 1.81 ERA. In contrast, Skenes' 10-10 record is unprecedented among pitchers with similar statistics, highlighting the unique challenges he faced as a member of the Pirates.

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Over his career, Skenes has made 55 starts, maintaining a 1.96 ERA. However, he has yet to secure a win in 34 of those starts, showcasing a troubling trend of non-support from his team. In games where he has not earned a victory, his ERA stands at 2.66, a statistic that further emphasizes the disparity between his performance and the team's results.

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Critics have pointed to the Pirates' offensive struggles as a significant factor in Skenes' inability to convert stellar performances into wins. During a stretch from April 19 to July 11, Skenes had a 1.77 ERA over 16 starts but managed only two wins, with the team losing games in which he allowed even a single run. This pattern has led to frustration among fans and analysts alike, who question the team's ability to support one of the league's top pitchers.

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While the Pirates organization has not publicly commented on Skenes' individual performance, the broader narrative surrounding the team's struggles has been acknowledged. The franchise continues to seek improvements in its lineup to enhance overall performance and provide better support for its pitchers.

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• “It’s actually a miracle that Skenes didn’t have a losing record.” — Anonymous Analyst

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• “It doesn’t matter how long Skenes pitches.” — Baseball Writer

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Paul Skenes' 2025 season encapsulates the struggles of a talented pitcher trapped within a team that has historically underperformed. His exceptional statistics contrast sharply with the Pirates' inability to capitalize on his efforts, leading to a season that will be remembered for its strange but true outcomes. As the franchise looks ahead, the hope remains that future seasons will bring better support for their ace.

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