Paul Skenes once again showed why he is considered the ace of the future (and the present) after leading the United States to a 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic, securing their ticket to the final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, beyond his dominance on the mound, it was his words after the game that moved the fans.
Skenes, who currently boasts an impressive 1.08 ERA in the tournament, had no qualms about admitting that the pressure and magnitude of the event runs deep, especially because of his past ties to national service.
Paul Skenes’ tough confession after reaching the World Baseball Classic final
For the current National League Cy Young Award winner (2025), this tournament is not just a sporting competition, but a matter of national honor.
Skenes, who before being the first pick in the Draft went through the Air Force Academy, shared an anecdote that changed his approach in the middle of the World Baseball Classic.
I got a message from one of my Air Force buddies… I don’t know where he’s stationed now, but he told me he was going to get up at 3 a.m. to watch the game. That puts things in perspective
“It’s something strong. For us, to play a game against people we know all the time, it’s intense. It’s an absolute honor to be able to do it,” Skenes said.
A tough game to reach the World Baseball Classic final
Skenes worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one run against one of the most fearsome offenses on the planet. Despite facing figures such as Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr, Skenes kept his composure, although he admitted that it was not his most impeccable outing.
“I just focused on executing. It wasn’t the prettiest or cleanest game I’ve ever pitched,” he humbly admitted to FOX Sports.
With this victory, the United States advances to its third consecutive WBC final. Having fulfilled his quota of pitches, Skenes’ work on the mound is over for this tournament, and now he will have to support from the dugout while his team seeks to win back-to-back championships.
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