The 2025 MLB season has been far from ideal for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who find themselves struggling at the bottom of the National League Central standings.
Only the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals hold worse records across the NL, and frustration among Pirates fans has steadily grown.
Yet, amid the underwhelming results and lost opportunities, one consistent source of excitement and hope continues to shine through lies in the dynamic right arm of Paul Skenes.
In Monday night’s matchup against the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers, Skenes delivered another signature moment in what has otherwise been a tough season.
In the third inning, with tension rising and runners on base, the 23-year-old phenom stared down Detroit‘s Gleyber Torres and unleashed a 99 mph fastball on the inside corner. The pitch froze Torres for a critical strikeout and ignited PNC Park.
It was the kind of electric moment that gives a struggling fan base something to rally around.
For Skenes, the moment was more than just another strikeout-it was a return to the win column. The Pirates gave him rare early run support, scoring three runs in the opening innings.
That cushion proved enough for Skenes to finally earn his first win since May 28 against Arizona. Monday marked his 20th start of the season, and the lack of support had begun to highlight just how deceptive a pitcher’s win-loss record can be. Despite entering the game with a 4-8 record, Skenes carried a dazzling 2.01 ERA, an elite number that underlines his dominance on the mound.
A dominant arm with national buzz and All-Star credentials
Skenes‘ dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed on the national stage. He was named the National League’s starting pitcher for the All-Star Game, a rare honor for a player whose team is struggling in the standings.
His season numbers reflect elite-level performance: a devastating fastball, a sharp breaking ball, and a relentless competitive fire.
Even in his rookie campaign last year, he was a force to be reckoned with, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA while racking up 170 strikeouts against just 32 walks in 23 starts. That stellar debut earned him National League Rookie of the Year honors.
The baseball world has taken notice. MLB shared the clip of his key third-inning strikeout against Torres, prompting fans from across the league to chime in.
“He’s not pitching, he’s casting lightning bolts from the mound,” one observer wrote, while another added: “Omg is Skenes going to get a W?!”
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