What's Happening?
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes is gaining attention as a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young Award following a series of impressive performances. Skenes recently delivered a shutout performance in a 4-0 victory against the Colorado Rockies, marking the 11th time this season he has not allowed a run in a start. Despite having only eight wins this season, Skenes' performance has been exceptional, with a 195 ERA+ that could potentially be the highest for a Pirates pitcher since earned runs became official in 1913. MLB.com writer Will Leitch has highlighted Skenes as a strong contender for the Cy Young, especially after the season-ending injury to Philadelphia Phillies' Zach Wheeler. Skenes' potential Cy Young win would be notable for having one of the fewest wins for a starting pitcher to receive the award since Jacob deGrom's 10-win season in 2018.
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Why It's Important?
Paul Skenes' rise as a Cy Young favorite underscores the evolving criteria for evaluating pitching excellence in Major League Baseball. Traditionally, the Cy Young Award has been associated with high win totals, but Skenes' case highlights the increasing emphasis on advanced metrics like ERA+ and run prevention. This shift could influence how pitchers are assessed and valued in the future, potentially affecting contract negotiations and team strategies. For the Pirates, having a Cy Young contender enhances the team's profile and could boost fan engagement and attendance. Additionally, Skenes' success may inspire other teams to focus on developing pitchers with similar skill sets, emphasizing control and efficiency over traditional win-loss records.
What's Next?
As the Pirates prepare to face the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game series, Skenes will not be pitching in the opener. However, his performance will continue to be closely monitored as the season progresses. The Pirates may consider limiting his innings in September to preserve his health, which could impact his Cy Young candidacy. Meanwhile, other contenders like Christopher Sanchez of the Phillies and Matthew Boyd of the Cubs remain in the running, but Skenes' current form makes him a strong favorite. The outcome of the Cy Young race will likely depend on how these pitchers perform in the final weeks of the season.
