Could Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes be the National League starter in next week’s MLB All-Star Game? The rookie made a very compelling case for the nod Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Skenes allowed no hits in seven innings and tied a career high with 11 strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches on the day.
Paul Skenes, 11th K.
I guess today is the day you show off your backdoor slider.
The guy just gets bored and dominates with a different pitch every game. photo.twitter.com/X7hnYiiIrN— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 11, 2024
It is the second time in his 11 starts that Skenes has pitched at least six hitless innings and the third start in which he has allowed no runs. The left-hander previously did not allow a hit in his second career MLB start on May 17 against the Chicago Cubs.
Skenes was named to the National League All-Star team on Sunday, one of two Pirates to earn a spot on the roster, along with outfielder Bryan Reynolds. The question heading into Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic is whether he should be the NL’s starting pitcher.
Though he’s made just 11 starts since being called up to the majors, the rookie has been arguably the best pitcher in MLB. More importantly, Skenes has been a standout attraction, the kind of must-watch sensation who draws fans in every time he pitches.
For the season, Skenes now has a 1.91 ERA in 11 starts with a 5-0 record and 89 strikeouts in 66 innings.
