Team USA took down Team Mexico in Houston in a contest on Monday night for the World Baseball Classic’s pool play stage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Cy Young Award winning pitcher, Paul Skenes, made the start on the mound and dominated from the first pitch.
For the first time since his legendary run at LSU, baseball fans were greeted with Skenes playing in a high leverage situation. Despite it being awhile since he took the mound with such high stakes on the line, the 23-year-old pitcher did not look
rattled as he gave an all-time great performance for Team USA. Skenes earned the win as Team USA outlasted Team Mexico 5-3.
Skenes faced a very tough Mexico team that had beat the USA in three consecutive matchups, dating back to the inaugural WBC in 2006. From the minute the first pitch was thrown it was clear he was prepared to bring the heat for as long as he was gonna be on the mound. He opened the contest with a strikeout against leadoff hitter Jarren Duran and from there it was largely lights out. Skenes would end the night with seven strikeouts across four scoreless innings. Fellow Pirate Nick Gonzales was one of Skenes’ strikeout victims, as was former Pirates’ teammate Rowdy Tellez who Skenes caught swinging twice on the night.
Overall, Skenes dominated the opposing batters. Along with his impressive strikeout numbers, he only issued one walk and allowed just one hit on Monday night while also finishing the contest with a staggering 48% whiff rate. Skenes is as good as any pitcher in the game right now and himself along with Tarik Skubal brought pitching prowess to the American team that has mostly been lacking in previous WBC tournament appearances. The starting pitchers are on tight restrictions in the tournament, but Skenes is expected to pitch one more time in the tournament, presumably the semifinals if Team USA advances to that point.
This was somewhat of a full circle moment for Skenes getting to represent his country on the world stage. Originally baseball was a secondary passion for Skenes when he began college. As a member of the Air Force Academy, the former cadet was more focused on flying fighter jets and serving his country than he was on playing baseball for the Falcons. However, Skenes became one of the best pitchers in college baseball when he transferred to LSU in 2023 and led the Tigers to a College World Series title.
Despite not finishing his collegiate career with Air Force, Skenes’ love for his country persisted and through this tournament he’s gotten to realize what it feels like to represent his nation.
“Out of all the jerseys that I’ve had over the past few years, the USA one’s the one that I’m most proud of wearing,” Skenes said. “I love America. There’s no bigger stage or no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest.”
Skenes said that one of the most difficult things about leaving the Air Force Academy was leaving behind a life of service to his country, but now takes pride in getting to represent The United States on the world stage.
“There was a big part of me that was fully intent on serving in the military,” Skenes said. “This isn’t serving, but it’s a pretty close second.”
For The US’s contest against Mexico, Skenes and fellow Air Force Falcon and relief pitcher, Griffin Jax, secured tickets for the Air Force baseball team to be in attendance. Jax who is a member of the Tampa Bay Rays organization and a Captain in the U.S Air Force Reserve is the first graduate from the program to reach the Major Leagues. The Air Force baseball team was in Texas to play Baylor and had their stay extended by the two former Falcons. Skenes met with the cadets following the game.
Team USA manager Marc DeRosa commented on his pair of Air Force pitchers and their military backgrounds.
“I had special conversations with both of them. Obviously their process is a little bit different than the rest of the guys in the room, living that military background and going to school and attending Air Force,” DeRosa said. “Every guy in that room is proud to represent the United States of America. But the conversations with them were a little bit different, as far as wanting to represent every serviceman and woman who protects our freedom on a nightly basis. They’re thinking a little bit different.”
Outside of baseball Skenes is a regular contributor to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a nonprofit that supports veterans, first responders and their families. In 2025 the pitcher pledged that he would donate $100 to the foundation for every strikeout he recorded. Skenes raised over $100,000 for the nonprofit in 2025.
Sinise has partnered with Skenes over the past two seasons said that he’s a gracious and valued member of the team.
“Paul stepping up to the plate over the last two years to help so many first responders and servicemembers, along with their families, through the Gary Sinise Foundation has made an impact we have certainly felt across the country,” Sinise said. “I am so grateful to have Paul on our team, raising money for the heroes who protect our country and communities, and for their families who have sacrificed so much.”
Skenes recently penned a letter through The Players Tribune addressed to the little league players of today working to be the major league players of tomorrow. Skenes reflected on his love for the Air Force and for his country, and he also shared the newfound joy he has in coming together with a group of players all with the same goal in mind to represent The United States of America and baseball at the highest level.
“We all understand that when you put on those colors, you’re not just playing baseball, you’re representing something deeper,” Skenes wrote. “Those of us who are doing this … it’s not about money or fame. It really is just about having a genuine love of baseball, and a love for your country.”
