Paul Skenes Faces Challenges in August Despite Mixed Performances

August begins with growing concern among MLB fans regarding Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher Paul Skenes. Recent performance struggles have drawn attention, as Skenes yielded five runs on seven hits against the Cincinnati Reds, marking his second consecutive start allowing five runs. This concludes a challenging month where he conceded at least five runs in three of his five starts.

Following these performances, Skenes’ earned run average (ERA) has risen to 3.90. This figure is remarkably higher by two runs than his 2024 and 2025 ERAs. Despite this, Skenes had some strong outings last month. He secured victories in three consecutive starts in the middle of July while allowing only five earned runs across those games, alleviating some of the concerns surrounding his performance.

Nonetheless, there remains distress about Skenes’ velocity. Analysis from recent games reveals that he hasn’t exceeded 98 MPH in his last four appearances and has reached this speed only 95 times this season. In contrast, last year he surpassed this mark nearly 900 times and about 700 times in the preceding year, consistently showcasing one of the league’s most dynamic fastballs.

“It’s been by design,” Skenes remarked regarding his velocity in an interview with DK Pittsburgh Sports, implying no immediate concern with his approach this season.

While some of the adjustments may be intentional, these statistics remain troubling. Last night, Skenes concluded an unfavorable month, conceding five runs in two successive games for the first time in his career, lasting only four innings.

Furthermore, examining his annual statistics, Skenes gave up 41 earned runs throughout last year. Through 23 starts in 2026, he has surrendered 54 runs. Data such as this prompts questions within Pittsburgh’s analytics department about whether these developments signify a temporary phase or indicate more profound issues.

Pirates pre- and post-game host, Dan Zangrilli, expressed pointed criticism following Skenes’ recent performance:

“The ace didn’t ace,” Zangrilli stated bluntly. “Far more questions than answers. He looks like an out of shape, lumbering yeti sucking wind on a hot day.”

This critique underscores the pressure Skenes faces as he and the Pirates navigate the challenges of the month. With the excitement of a new season dimming, the focus remains on Skenes’ ability to regain his former prowess on the mound.