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There’s by no means a assure any rookie will dwell up the hype. However not solely has Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes lived as much as the immense hype that preceded his MLB debut, he is exceeding it. And the proof of that’s in his newest report.
On Thursday, Skenes threw one in all his finest performances of the season. The 22-year-old All-Star tossed a seven-inning no-hitter whereas placing out 11 batters. Clearly, recording a no-hitter, even when not by an official full recreation, is the very first thing that jumps out. Nonetheless, solely permitting one baserunner by way of one stroll is in some way not the first headline from Skenes’ final start earlier than his first of what must be many All-Star Video games.
Skenes main the Pirates to a 1-0 highway victory over the Brewers will go down as a historic day for a franchise with an extended historical past that dates again to 1882. He has now recorded seven or extra strikeouts in eight consecutive begins, setting a new franchise record.
So Skenes, who just lately achieved the new standard for essentially the most strikeouts inside a rookie pitcher’s first 10 begins, now owns a report that goes nicely past the best rookie seasons.
To place this newest Skenes report into perspective, the Pirates franchise has been residence to some sensational pitchers all through its historical past. Names like Jack Chesbro, who nonetheless stays the final MLB pitcher to win 40 video games in a season, former Cy Youthful winner Vern Legislation, Dock Ellis, who captained the Pirates’ 1971 World Collection profitable employees and threw some of the well-known no-hitters ever, Bob Buddy and extra just lately Gerrit Cole loved success whereas representing the Pirates.
However once more, it is Skenes who has been essentially the most dominant from a strikeout perspective in eight straight begins. The truth that Skenes’ title is being introduced amongst legends of the previous solely 11 appearances into his profession exhibits the sky is really the restrict for MLB’s 2023 No. 1 general decide.
Skenes’ 2024 totals inform the story of his dominance. In 66.1 innings pitched, Skenes is now 6-0 with 89 strikeouts and a 1.90 ERA. He has solely given up 48 hits, 13 walks and 7 residence runs.
Solely time will inform the place Skenes will rank among the many Pirates’ finest pitchers all-time, however he is making a case that he belongs as a rookie and he is already within the franchise’s report e-book it doesn’t matter what.
It is secure to say Skenes has offered Pirates followers with one thing they’ve been trying to find: hope for the longer term and a perception the glory the franchise can finally expertise a return to glory.
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