Skenes Shows the Heat in Start Against Tigers

Skenes Shows the Heat in Start Against Tigers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had their share of struggles during the 2025 MLB season. Sitting at the bottom of the National League Central, only the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals have worse records in the NL. But despite the rough year, one bright spot in Pittsburgh is the electric right arm of Paul Skenes.

Facing the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers, Skenes worked out of a third-inning jam by blowing a 99 mph fastball on the inner half past Gleyber Torres for a strikeout. It was the kind of moment that lights up a crowd and gives Pirates fans something to rally behind.

Even more encouraging, the Pirates gave Skenes rare run support, scoring three early runs. He hadn’t won a start since May 28 against Arizona, his 11th start of the season. Monday night marked his 20th.

MLB posted the strikeout clip on social media as it was a momentum-shifting play.

"99 MPH PAINT from Paul Skenes."

99 MPH PAINT from Paul Skenes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3jsTaSqmxi

— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2025

Fans around the league, not just in Pittsburgh, were fired up about the 23-year-old phenom.

"Omg is Skenes going to get a W?!" said this fan.

"He’s not pitching, he’s casting lightning bolts from the mound," said this MLB observer.

This fan stated the obvious: "Guys got an arm."

More praise here: "No one hitting that."

"That’s some serious heat! Skenes is definitely making a name for himself," said someone else here.

More excitement here: "Paul Skenes with run support, today is a miraculous day."

Despite a 4-8 record this season, Skenes was named the National League’s starting pitcher for the All-Star Game. Going into Monday's start, he had a 2.01 ERA, underlining how misleading his win-loss record has been. In his rookie year, he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, striking out 170 and walking just 32 across 23 starts. That earned him National League Rookie of the Year honors.

Off the field, Skenes has drawn attention for dating former LSU gymnast and social media star Livvy Dunne. In January, he was named one of three cover athletes for MLB The Show 25, alongside Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson. He was the first non-two-way pitcher to appear on the cover.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.