Skenes Struggles Amid Team Struggles

Paul Skenes is carrying the Pirates through a brutal losing streak, despite feeling stronger than ever on the mound. Critics point to a slight drop in fastball velocity, but the real issue? Opponents are grinding out long at-bats, forcing Skenes into high pitch counts and costly outings. His offense isn’t helping—scoring two runs or fewer in several starts—and the bullpen can’t hold leads. Defense and lineup construction are also shaky, with players being asked to play out of position. Yet Skenes remains confident, backed by coaches who trust his conditioning. The next start could be the turning point—if the Pirates finally step up and support their ace. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/01c249790e4f61a8