TORONTO – Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion, is preparing to see Paul Skenes pitch live for the first time when the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. The 23-year-old Skenes, last season’s National League Rookie of the Year, is expected to showcase his powerful pitching arsenal against Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman at Rogers Centre.
Paul Skenes’ Rapid Rise and Pitching Skill Set
Skenes has stunned baseball with a 1.99 ERA across his first 46 major league starts, marking the lowest ERA in over a century for a pitcher beginning a career. His fastball frequently reaches 98 miles per hour, complemented by five distinct breaking pitches. These attributes have drawn high praise from Scherzer, who also highlights Skenes’ transformation from catcher to ace and notes the young pitcher’s disciplined work ethic behind the scenes.
Despite Skenes’ early success, Scherzer is particularly focused on how the young right-hander will sustain his performance over the long haul, emphasizing the importance of consistent durability rather than just explosive talent.
Scherzer Highlights Durability as Essential for Long-Term Success
Speaking at Rogers Centre, Scherzer said,
“To me the biggest thing is durability. You have a lot of pitchers come up with really good stuff, and that’s great. Obviously he’s off to a great start in his career, one of the best starts to a career ever, but I want to see him go 200 innings. The biggest thing I watch for year over year is durability.”
He further added,
“I want to see what he’s doing in 2027, not just now.”
This comment reflects Scherzer’s experience pitching over 200 innings in multiple seasons, noting that longevity and health are vital in building a lasting, elite career.
Upcoming Matchup: Blue Jays Hosting Pirates and Paul Skenes
The American League-leading Toronto Blue Jays are set to open a series against Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, broadcast live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 6:40 p.m. ET. Skenes, who has increased his innings pitched to 148 this season from 133 last year, has had his workload managed carefully by the Pirates given their current 52-73 record.
During the four starts before the all-star break, Skenes averaged just 80 pitches per game, reflecting the Pirates‘ cautious approach to protecting the young pitcher’s arm this season. Despite these restrictions, his efficiency keeps him on track to finish with around 180-190 innings pitched through the season.
Scherzer’s Perspective on Modern Pitching and Analytics
Max Scherzer’s nearly two-decade career has brought him into contact with many hard-throwing young pitchers, but he emphasizes that effective pitching goes beyond velocity. Scherzer recalls early learning from coaching and analytical tools, stating,
“sabermetrics, as they were called at the time,”
referring to his efforts to gain an edge.
He stresses the value of command, game intelligence, and the ability to read hitters as key to pitching success.
“There are a lot of guys who throw hard and don’t get strikeouts. Location gets overlooked and just reading hitters, what they’re thinking and what they’re trying to do. All of that goes into pitching, too,”
Scherzer explained.
Paul Skenes’ Effectiveness Against Blue Jays’ Batters
Skenes complements his fastball velocity with precise location and pitch sequencing, making him a formidable opponent for the Blue Jays. This season, Toronto’s lineup has repeatedly faced high-caliber pitching from frontline starters such as Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Matthew Boyd, Jacob deGrom, and Nathan Eovaldi.
Blue Jays hitters have also encountered other top-tier pitchers including Garrett Crochet, Bryan Woo, Hunter Brown, Zack Wheeler, and Tarik Skubal throughout the year. An analysis of Blue Jays’ recent matchups reveals they’ve faced approximately 30 elite pitchers with an average ERA of 2.78 and an innings-per-start rate near six innings. While their hitters have drawn more walks than usual and struck out slightly less, the opponents still limited runs effectively.
With Skenes pitching this week and Eury Perez expected to pitch for the Marlins on Sunday, the Blue Jays remain in for continuous, high-level pitching challenges—potentially foreshadowing the intensity expected in October playoffs.
Scherzer’s Reflection on Longevity and Guidance for Skenes
When asked what advice he might give Skenes about maintaining durability and effectiveness over time, Scherzer was reluctant to reveal his secrets publicly. He remarked,
“Well, I don’t want to say anything publicly because these are things I’ve learned over a long period of time and I don’t want to just give it away to everyone,”
highlighting the personal value of his experience.
Considering whether he would share insights privately, Scherzer paused thoughtfully and said,
“I don’t know. Because I care about starting pitching, but he’s still competition. He’s going up against our team. So I don’t know. I’d have to think about it.”
This moment illustrated the serious but respectful competitive nature between established veterans and rising stars, even when mentorship might be welcomed.
What Lies Ahead for Paul Skenes and the Pirates
As Skenes continues to impress in his rookie campaign, much attention will remain on his ability to maintain health and consistency through his innings. The Pirates’ cautious handling of his workload reflects a clear strategy to avoid overuse during a rebuilding season. Facing elite lineups like the Blue Jays’ provides Skenes with invaluable experience against top competition.
For Scherzer, whose career longevity has been marked by resilience and adaptability, the upcoming showdown offers a chance to observe how the new generation adapts to the rigors of major league pitching. For Blue Jays fans and the broader baseball community, Skenes’ performance could signal a new era of pitching excellence in the National League and beyond.