Pirates' Lack of Run Support Has Paul Skenes Making Unwanted MLB History

Paul Skenes made an interesting bit of history in the first-half of the season and it’s all because the Pittsburgh Pirates struggle to put runs on the board when he’s on the mound.

According to Codify Baseball, Skenes is the first pitcher in recorded MLB history to make 20 or more starts in the first-half of a season to have an ERA below 3.00 but not have more than four wins.

Paul Skenes is the first pitcher in recorded MLB history to make 20+ starts in the first half of a season and have an ERA below 3.00 but not have more than 4 wins.

His ERA is 2.01. pic.twitter.com/bn1s6UGwEU

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 16, 2025

Skenes has a 2.01 ERA and is 4-8 in 20 starts in 2025.

In three starts where Skenes allowed two earned runs or less, the Pirates were shutout and the reigning NL Rookie of the Year took the loss.

In Skenes’ 20 starts, Pittsburgh’s offense averages just 3.05 runs per game. In eight of those starts, they’ve scored two runs or less.

That wasn’t the only history Skenes made this week. He also became the first pitcher to start the All-Star game in his first two seasons.

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