Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes faces pressure as he enters his home start against the Dodgers winless in his last four outings. Skenes, who won the NL Cy Young Award last season, has struggled recently, allowing 15 runs over his past four games and failing to pitch six innings in any of them. This game marks the Dodgers' only visit to PNC Park this season, and Skenes hopes to reverse his fortunes against a formidable lineup. Despite these challenges, Skenes' advanced metrics indicate a stronger performance than his current results suggest.

By the Numbers
  • Skenes has a current ERA of 3.09, with a 6-5 record this season.
  • In his last four starts, he has allowed 15 runs and 26 hits over 20 innings.
  • Opponents hit .333 against Skenes' four-seam fastball and sinker in his recent slump.
State of Play
  • Skenes' pitch count has risen to a career-high 109 in a recent start, impacting performance.
  • Pittsburgh may be missing key players, including Konnor Griffin and possibly Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe, which could influence game outcomes.
What's Next

If Skenes can rebound against the Dodgers, it could restore confidence ahead of future matchups, including a potential duel with Shohei Ohtani. Pittsburgh’s performance tonight may set the tone for the rest of the series.

Bottom Line

Skenes must return to form to reaffirm his status as a top pitcher; otherwise, a prolonged slump may jeopardize not only his Cy Young defense but also the Pirates' chances this season.