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Pirates shift Paul Skenes start to Detroit Aug. 19

8/17/2026

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Summary

Skenes Start Shifted

The Pittsburgh Pirates moved Paul Skenes' start from Aug 16 versus Boston to Aug 19 versus Detroit for rest.
Skenes is 3-9 in 16 starts with a 5.00 ERA and his fastball fell to 95.7 mph.
Cherington said Skenes has no injury, is among strikeout leaders, and is projected for four to five wins.
Manager Don Kelly said the change is not injury-related and Skenes said he supports the move.

Summary

Kelly Bullpen Start

Manager Don Kelly named reliever Lake Bachar to start Sunday, making it a bullpen start.
Pittsburgh sits at 60-65, last in the NL Central and 6½ games out of the wild-card.
The club has dropped 16 of its last 23 games, underscoring a slump.
Paul Skenes, 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 18 innings vs Detroit, earned NL Rookie of the Year (2024) and NL Cy Young (2025).

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Skenes Start Shifted

The Pittsburgh Pirates moved Paul Skenes' start from Aug 16 versus Boston to Aug 19 versus Detroit for rest.
Skenes is 3-9 in 16 starts with a 5.00 ERA and his fastball fell to 95.7 mph.
Cherington said Skenes has no injury, is among strikeout leaders, and is projected for four to five wins.
Manager Don Kelly said the change is not injury-related and Skenes said he supports the move.

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