Paul Skenes faces pitching struggles amid rising ERA

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is facing a period of performance fluctuation. Despite his previous dominance, including winning the National League Rookie of the Year in 2024, his ERA has risen to 3.95 after starting the season with a 1.96 ERA.

In a recent matchup against the Detroit Tigers, Skenes pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three runs and issuing four walks. While his velocity has recovered, reaching up to 98 mph, control issues have persisted, with three of his last four starts seeing him issue at least four walks.

Teammates have expressed support for the 24-year-old, noting that the scrutiny follows an exceptionally strong career start. Skenes has stated he remains focused on objective data and execution rather than external criticism.