Pittsburgh Pirates waste another dominant performance by Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates faced the Houston Astros on June 4, 2025, concluding with a 3-0 loss for the Pirates despite a brilliant performance from their ace, Paul Skenes. Skenes pitched eight innings, allowed only three hits, struck out eight, and walked one while giving up just one run. Unfortunately for Skenes, his team’s offensive struggles continued, leading to his fourth loss of the season and bringing his record to four wins and six losses despite a commanding 2.05 ERA. In this game, Lance McCullers Jr. of the Astros secured his first win since 2022, having pitched six effective innings. The Astros scored their sole run in the seventh inning when Christian Walker hit a home run, followed by Isaac Paredes adding a two-run shot in the ninth. The game served as a stark example of the struggles the Pirates’ offense faces, as they have now been blanked 10 times in just 61 games this season. Skenes’ recent performances have been remarkable, illustrating his consistent capability as an elite pitcher. However, his excellent stats are overshadowed by the poor results, leaving him with a record that does not reflect his pitching prowess. As the season progresses, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to rank among the bottom in offensive metrics, having the second-worst weighted runs created plus, showing their inability to support their pitching with adequate offensive production. The game further highlighted the imbalance in the Pirates organization's development strategy. Building a competitive team around a talent like Skenes is challenging, and, as evidenced by the recent loss, it raises questions about the team’s direction and its chances of success moving forward. Skenes has recorded two starts this season in which he allowed no more than one run and pitched eight innings, yet he emerged with losses in both. This rare feat reflects both his individual effectiveness and the dire situation of the Pirates offense during his starts.