The Los Angeles Dodgers could also be thought-about by many to be one of many strongest groups in all of MLB. Paul Skenes, nonetheless, proved as soon as once more on Thursday night time that even one of the best groups could be subdued by nice pitching.
Skenes continued his mastery over the defending world champions with six shutout innings on Thursday to assist the Pittsburgh Pirates seize a 5-3 win, securing a three-game sweep of the Dodgers at PNC Park.
Thursday’s win moved Pittsburgh to 64-77 on the season and accomplished its seventh sweep of the season. All however one in all Pittsburgh’s sweeps this 12 months have come at PNC Park, the place the Pirates at the moment are 42-30 on the marketing campaign.
Paul Skenes’ Cy Younger-worthy season continues
By hanging out eight and strolling only one whereas permitting two hits, Skenes lowered his ERA on the season to 1.98 and continued his string of shutouts in opposition to the Dodgers. On April 25 inside Chavez Ravine, Skenes scattered 5 hits over 6.1 innings to assist Pittsburgh earn a 3-0 determination.
Previous to Thursday, Skenes was padding his resume for the Nationwide League Cy Younger Award with loads of head-shaking stats. Only one stroll issued in opposition to the Dodgers saved Skenes from extending a formidable run. The 23-year-old right-hander has made 5 scoreless begins with zero walks issued this season, tying him with Babe Adams (1920) for essentially the most begins by a Pirates pitcher in a season within the Trendy Period (since 1901).
Skenes, who gained the Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr Award in 2024, had posted a 1.98 ERA and 195 strikeouts whereas issuing 39 walks by his first 29 begins of the season.
Earlier than Thursday’s outing, Skenes had pitched to a 2.01 ERA with 357 strikeouts and a .198 batting common in opposition to by the primary 51 begins of his main league profession, marking the fifth-lowest ERA by any pitcher by the primary 51 begins of his massive league profession since earned runs turned an official statistic in each leagues in 1913.
With simply 21 video games left for the Pirates within the common season, Skenes may make 4 to 5 extra begins this 12 months. They are going to be probabilities to proceed to point out why he deserves the Cy Younger Award, recognizing one of the best pitcher within the NL. Based mostly on what he has achieved in opposition to the Dodgers this season, Skenes is definitely deserving of the dignity.
