Paul Skenes Cy Young Bid Faces Crucial Test Against Struggling Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers face a tough challenge to avoid a series sweep. They must beat Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes on Thursday. The game is set for PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Skenes is having a historic second season. He is a leading contender for the National League Cy Young Award. The Dodgers are reeling after losing four of their last five games.

Skenes Chases History Against Reigning Champions

Paul Skenes continues to dominate Major League Baseball. His career ERA of 2.01 is the best ever through a pitcher’s first 51 starts. This stat covers the entire live-ball era, according to Field Level Media.

He has already faced the Dodgers three times in his young career. Skenes owns a 2-1 record with a 3.63 ERA against Los Angeles. His last outing was a masterclass, throwing 6.1 shutout innings in a win last April.

The Pirates are carefully managing their young star’s workload. Skenes has already pitched a career-high 167 innings this season. The team aims to keep him under 200 innings for the year.

Dodgers’ Playoff Hopes Depend on Snell’s Rebound

The Dodgers are fighting for a crucial playoff bye. They currently trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the second National League slot. A strong performance from starter Blake Snell is essential.

Snell recently returned from the paternity list. His last start showed a noticeable drop in fastball velocity. He averaged 93.5 mph, well below his seasonal average of 95.2 mph.

The left-hander remains confident despite the recent outing. He stated he is “zero worried” about his velocity dip. Snell’s career numbers against Pittsburgh are poor, with a 6.86 ERA over five starts.

The Dodgers must solve Paul Skenes to stop their skid. This matchup is a critical juncture for both teams. A Pirates sweep would be a major statement, while a Dodgers win could reignite their momentum.

Thought you’d like to know

What is Paul Skenes’s ERA this season?

While the exact figure fluctuates, Skenes entered this start with a stellar 2.01 career ERA. This is a historic mark for a pitcher through their first 51 games.

Why is Blake Snell’s velocity down?

Snell recently returned from the paternity list. He attributed the velocity drop to a busy week and stated he is not concerned about it long-term.

Are the Pittsburgh Pirates in playoff contention?

The Pirates have played .500 baseball since early May. A strong finish led by Skenes could put them in the Wild Card conversation.

Who is catching for the Dodgers if Will Smith is out?

Will Smith left Wednesday‘s game with a hand injury. Rookie Dalton Rushing would likely assume the primary catching duties if Smith misses time.