Paul Skenes continues to impress on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2024 MLB season, delivering consistently dominant performances despite little offensive backing. On Friday against the Chicago Cubs, Skenes threw five scoreless innings with five strikeouts, yet the game remained tied 0-0 when he left, denying him a chance at the win. This persistent lack of run support has culminated in an unfortunate milestone in his early major league career.
Historic Record for Least Wins With Exceptional ERA
According to CBS Sports analyst Doug Clawson, Paul Skenes now holds the record for the fewest wins by any pitcher with an ERA below 2.00 through their first 15 career starts in the live-ball era, which began in 1920. Despite maintaining an outstanding 1.88 ERA across 15 starts and pitching 96 innings, Skenes has only a 4–6 win-loss record. His other statistics, including a 0.835 WHIP, 97 strikeouts, and a 3.6 WAR, place him among the league’s elite pitchers, highlighting the disconnect between his individual excellence and the Pirates’ overall performance.
Team Performance Shadows Skenes’ Pitching Excellence
The Pirates entered their matchup against the Cubs with a disappointing 28–42 record, occupying the bottom of the NL Central standings. This underwhelming team performance has impeded Skenes’ ability to accumulate wins, as the offense frequently fails to provide the necessary run support. Despite Skenes’ breakout success after being drafted out of LSU, the team’s struggles have cast a shadow over his achievements.
Comparisons to Established Stars and Trade Speculation
Paul Skenes’ dominant pitching has led to comparisons with elite pitchers, including two-time Cy Young Award winners. However, the lack of victories despite his strong stats has drawn attention to his unique situation. As a result, speculation is mounting over whether the Pirates might trade Skenes while his value is near its peak, potentially reshaping both his career and the team’s future.
“Paul Skenes now holds the fewest wins (4) by any pitcher with a sub-2.00 ERA through their first 15 career starts in the live-ball era, which dates back to 1920.” —Doug Clawson, CBS Sports Analyst