PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In his finale to a likely Cy Young Award, Paul Skenes shutout the Reds in six innings, allowing four hits, no walks and seven strikeouts. The no runs allowed lowered his ERA to 1.97 for the season.
Pirates manager Don Kelly said the only consideration going into the game was to win it. There wasn’t a thought of pulling Skenes after four or five innings to make sure he finished with an ERA under two.
The 23-year-old is one of three pitchers to have a sub two ERA in consecutive seasons-the others, Hall of Famer Greg Maddox and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw.
In his rookie season, Skenes was 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts, 133 innings, 32 walks, 170 strikeouts, .198 batting average against, 0.95 WHIP. This season a 1.97 ERA in 32 starts, one complete game, 187.2 innings with 42 walks, 216 strikeouts, .199 batting average against, 0.95 WHIP.
Skenes had one start in 2025 where he gave up more than four runs, four times where he gave up more than three runs. The Bucs first round pick in 2023 had 14 starts, nearly half, where he didn’t give up an earned run.
The 216 strikeouts are a Pirates record for a right-handed pitcher.
Skenes has now made five career starts against the Reds and in 29 innings has allowed ONE run while striking out 40 and walking two.