Pittsburgh Pirates‘ rising star Paul Skenes enters the 2025 MLB season with a clear vision: helping his team break their long playoff drought so how does the National League Rookie of the Year aim to do it?
Armed with a retooled roster and renewed energy in the clubhouse, Skenes and the rest of the team are optimistic that the Pirates can finally return to the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Since that 2015 Wild Card loss, the Pirates have been on a barren run and finished with a .383 record (62-100) as recently as 2022 but they’ve now endured back-to-back seasons finishing with identical 76-86 records.
Falling short of a playoff spot is disappointing, but it comes amid promising stretches. 2024, in particular, was marred by inconsistencies within their bullpen, which ranked 27th out of 30 in the league with a 4.49 earned run average (ERA).
However, this offseason has given fans a fresh wave of hope, and Skenes believes that the team is finally building the foundation for success.
“The thing that fires me up the most this year,” Skenes told reporters ahead of Spring Training. “Is that we have a lot of buy-in. It just feels different.
Skenes’ projections estimate he will pitch over 155 innings this season, recording 181 strikeouts with a 3.25 ERA and a 3.7 fWAR (Fangraphs’ Wins Above Replacement) – a slight regression from his debut but still enough to be among baseball’s elite pitchers.
Who have the Pirates recruited?
One of the biggest additions to the team is Spencer Horwitz, a talented left-handed batter who showed significant promise last season; and alongside Horwitz, pitchers Mitch Keller, Johan Oviedo, and fellow prospect Jared Jones are expected to play key roles in boosting the Pirates’ competitiveness.
And finally, the Pirates’ playoff hopes hinge largely on their offensive output and the ability of their young pitchers to sustain top-tier performances throughout the season.
Players like Oniel Cruz and Bryan Reynolds are expected to carry a heavy load on offense, with Cruz aiming to reach the coveted 30-30 milestone in home runs and stolen bases.
Olivia Dunne’s Mother Stands Strong Amid Online Criticism
Gymnast and social media sensation Olivia Dunne has always had the backing of her family, particularly her mother, Katherine Dunne, who has stood by her through every triumph and challenge. Recently, Katherine once again came to her daughter’s defense after Olivia faced online criticism following her role as Grand Marshal in the 2025 Krewe of Endymion parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
However, after Olivia posted a video of the event on TikTok, she was met with some negative comments about her bead-throwing skills. One user remarked, “Tell Paul to teach you throwing, the shape was awful ngl.” Olivia, however, handled the criticism with grace, responding humorously, “My arm is hanging today ngl.”
Despite the lighthearted exchange, Katherine made sure to show her unwavering support for Olivia. She took to Instagram, sharing a carousel of family photos from the event with the caption, “First Mardi Gras did not disappoint .” Her words subtly yet powerfully dismissed the criticism, reinforcing her pride in her daughter’s accomplishments.
Katherine has never shied away from celebrating Olivia’s achievements, whether in gymnastics or her growing influence in women’s college sports. This latest instance was no exception, as she responded to negativity with an uplifting message that underscored her unwavering support for her daughter.
Speaking to The Salt Lake Tribune, Katherine reflected on Olivia‘s mission: “When Olivia started social media, she always wanted to try to bring more eyeballs to the sport of college gymnastics. It’s really gratifying for her to see the appetite for it grow and the audience grow more and more each year.”
She also emphasized the importance of the moment for women’s gymnastics, especially following an Olympic year, which often brings heightened interest in the sport: “I think it’s an important moment for women’s gymnastics. I think coming off of an Olympic year, there’s extra enthusiasm for the sport, and I think it will continue to give it the recognition that these women deserve.”
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