Pirates' Cy Young Candidate Skenes Tied for NL Losses as Velocity Drops

Pittsburgh Pirates' 24-year-old ace Paul Skenes is struggling this season, now tied for the most losses in the National League with 11 after a recent start against the Miami Marlins. Skenes pitched five innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits. He threw only 65 pitches, striking out four batters while issuing one walk and hitting another with a pitch. His ERA now stands at 3.88.

During the game, Skenes's fastest pitch registered at 96.5 mph (155.3 kph), with an average velocity of 95.7 mph (154 kph) for his four-seam fastball. This is a significant drop from his season average of 96.9 mph (155.9 kph) and a stark contrast to his 2025 season average of 98.2 mph (158 kph).

Despite the dip in performance, Skenes understood the manager's decision to pull him from the game. "If I were the manager, I might have made the same decision. I wish I could have pitched more, but that's how it is," Skenes commented after the game.

As a former Cy Young contender, Skenes's current record places him alongside Cincinnati Reds pitchers Brady Singer and Landen Roupp for the most losses in the National League. Tanner Bibee of the Cleveland Guardians leads all of Major League Baseball with 12 losses.

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If I were the manager, I might have made the same decision. I wish I could have pitched more, but that's how it is.