Pirates Urged to Rest Paul Skenes as Playoff Hopes Fade
Paul Skenes has struggled in 2026 after a strong previous season, with a noticeable drop in velocity, off mechanics, and apparent exhaustion. His ERA has surged to 3.95, and he has delivered a limited number of dominant starts while posting poor results lately, contributing to Pittsburgh’s slump and a 4.8% playoff probability. With the Pirates falling 5½ games out of the final NL wild card and his form waning for weeks, experts suggest a more aggressive rest strategy to protect his long-term value and the team’s postseason chances, potentially sidelining him for the remainder of the season to preserve their ace for the future.