Paul Skenes Struggles Continue Despite Extra Rest in Loss to Tigers

Paul Skenes faced another challenging outing on Wednesday, struggling against the Detroit Tigers and raising concerns about his recent performance. Despite being given three extra days of rest, Skenes was unable to find his rhythm, allowing three runs and issuing four walks over just 4 1/3 innings before being pulled after 81 pitches.

This marked the first time since his initial starts in 2026 that Skenes has failed to pitch more than 85 pitches in consecutive games. His recent form has been troubling, with a 6.52 ERA across his last four starts, during which he has given up 14 earned runs despite recording 28 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

Velocity issues have also plagued Skenes, who has seen a drop in his fastball speed. After consistently reaching 98 mph in April, he struggled to hit those marks in August, only managing to touch 97 mph against the Tigers. While the extra rest did result in slightly improved velocity, he still fell short of his earlier performance levels.

Control has been another significant issue, as Skenes has walked four batters in three of his last four starts, a stark contrast to his earlier success in the majors. The Pittsburgh Pirates maintain that Skenes is healthy and simply experiencing the challenges of a full MLB season, despite his impressive performance last year with a 1.97 ERA over 187 2/3 innings.

The timing of Skenes' struggles is particularly concerning for the Pirates, who have seen their season take a downturn. After a promising start, the team found itself 6.5 games out of the wild-card spot in the National League, and Skenes' recent decline has become a focal point amid the team's broader struggles.