Paul Skenes was surprised to be the Pirates' only All-Star selection after the team's 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday, July 5, 2026. The ace pitcher admitted his shock given the team's strong offense.
What happened?
The Pittsburgh Pirates bounced back with a dominant win, breaking the game open with a five-run second inning and adding two more in the eighth. Henry Davis and Brandon Lowe each drove in two runs.
Why it matters for Paul Skenes
Skenes' comments come amid an improved year for the Pirates, with the team entering the weekend with the third-most runs scored in Major League Baseball. The 24-year-old pitcher has still been one of the National League's premier pitchers in 2026.
What comes next?
The Pirates will look to secure the series victory on Sunday, July 6, 2026, before returning home for a matchup with the Atlanta Braves. Skenes has posted a 6-8 record and 3.62 ERA with 119 strikeouts across 18 starts.
The victory served as another reminder of why the Pirates have remained in the postseason conversation despite hovering around .500. Bryan Reynolds has continued to anchor the lineup, slashing .284/.395/.470 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs.
Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez has also become the club's breakout star, hitting .333 with six home runs, 17 RBIs, and a 1.096 OPS through his first 21 major league games. Braxton Ashcraft has emerged as one of the biggest surprises in the National League, holding a 3.24 ERA with 122 strikeouts.
Skenes earned his third consecutive All-Star selection, despite his numbers being a step back from his spectacular 2025 campaign. The Pirates' offense has been a major factor in their success, with the team scoring the third-most runs in baseball.
On the mound, Ashcraft allowed one run on six hits with seven strikeouts over 5⅔ innings to improve to 9-3 on the season. The Pirates' win was a testament to their strong team play, with multiple players contributing to the victory.
Paul Skenes will look to continue his strong pitching in the second half of the season, starting with the Pirates' upcoming matchup against the Atlanta Braves. The game is scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET.