As if there was any doubt, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner will start the first game of the year.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday that Paul Skenes will get the ball in New York to start Opening Day against the Mets.
“Duh,” the Pirates tweeted.
Skenes tallied 1.97 ERA and struck out 216 batters in 187.2 innings, the most strikeouts but a Pirates starting pitcher in franchise history.
Skenes only allowed 31 earned runs and totaled a 0.95 WHIP
en route to his first Cy Young.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick and 2024 NL Rookie of the Year will make his second-career Opening Day start.
Skenes, 23, posted a 7.7 WAR last year and started his second-consecutive All-Star Game for the NL.
He continues to accumulate accolades rarely seen in over 100 years. Skenes started two games for the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, allowing one run over 8.1 innings.
Facing potentially the greatest lineup he’ll ever face against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals, Skenes allowed only one run in 4.1 frames. Outside of a Junior Caminero solo home run, Skenes silenced the Dominican Republic offense.
In 55 starts, Skenes owns a 21-13 record, 1.96 ERA, 386 strikeouts, 2.40 FIP, and a 0.948 WHIP.
Skenes starts game one of 162 at Citi Field on Thursday, March 26 at 1:15 p.m.
