Paul Skenes blames World Baseball Classic for velocity drop

The update

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has struggled this season, posting a 3.91 ERA. He attributes the dip in performance and velocity to the World Baseball Classic, which interrupted his typical spring training buildup. Skenes made two starts for Team USA in the tournament, which has strict pitch limits and rest requirements. He notes that he did not find his usual rhythm during spring training, leading to a lower average fastball velocity this season.

Why it matters

Skenes is the reigning Cy Young winner, and a down year for him has significant implications for the Pirates’ playoff push. His struggles have coincided with a rough stretch for the team, which missed the postseason despite making moves to contend. The Pirates finished with a 79-77 record, their first winning season since 2018.

What to watch

It remains to be seen whether Skenes can return to his dominant form in the final stretch of the season. The Pirates will need him to perform well to salvage any momentum heading into the offseason. Fans and analysts will be closely monitoring his velocity and mechanics in upcoming starts.

Sources

• cbssports.com — Skenes' ERA (3.91), his comments on the WBC, and the Pirates' season record (79-77).
• The Big Lead — Skenes' comments on the WBC affecting his spring training and his season record (10-11).