Paul Skenes' Struggles Impacting Pittsburgh's Playoff Hopes
Paul Skenes' poor performance continues to baffle, with an ERA of 6 over the last two months, raising concerns and impacting the Pirates' playoff chances.
Video Transcript
It is really one of the bigger questions, and I'm sure it's just driving people crazy from a betting perspective is, Joe, and I'd love your thoughts on this, is that Paul Skenes.
What is going on with Paul Skenes?
Like, this is not two starts or three starts anymore.
Paul Skenes going back, oh, you know, almost two months.
His ERA is, like, six.
So, yeah, I, I, I, I don't know.
It's a really perplexing situation.
I'm sure if the Pirates had the answer, they would give it.
They just seem to be giving the same answer every time, which is that he's gonna get right, and he just never does.
No, he doesn't.
And, and the problem is and, and my fear for Pirates fans is that they're gonna look back on the season, and when they don't make the playoffs, Craig, they're gonna look back at his starts and, and go, "My goodness."
A, he's had some ridiculous blowups, this year that just should not happen.
I mean, he allowed, I think, what?
13 runs in 14 and a half innings with a combined 10 walks here at one stretch.
So yeah, I, I do not think Control has been a little bit of an issue.
You and I have watched him pitch on in-game live.
We've covered it, and it feels like either he's working on something or he's falling in love with a pitch, but everything seems to be over the plate and, and hitters are making him pay for it.
But when you look at how many opportunities Pittsburgh had with him on the mound this year to win games, and they didn't, and he was Paul Skenes, but they couldn't hit, I, I think ultimately that's what is gonna separate them from making a run at this and not.
And I, it, its offense to me is the biggest problem.
You gotta win at least, I, I mean, 70% of Paul Skenes' starts, otherwise what are you doing?
You would think.
You don't deserve to make the playoffs, right?
No, and they're pitching with Jared Jones and Ashcraft.
I mean, their pitching- Yep is good enough to win, and it just hasn't been the case.
And, and so I think this is put up or shut up time- No this week here in, South Florida.
If they don't win this series, there's nothing else to say.
They're gonna be just so far behind.
