Paul Skenes shows diminished velocity in defeat

Key Points:

• Paul Skenes has struggled with command recently, walking four batters in consecutive starts and posting a 6.14 ERA over his last seven outings, raising concerns about his mechanics or arm fatigue.
• Despite control issues, Skenes has maintained strong strikeout numbers, including a game with seven strikeouts and a 28% called strike plus whiff rate (CSW), but his fastball command and velocity have been inconsistent.
• The Pirates have made a catching change, with Henry Davis no longer catching Skenes, as they continue to rely on Rodríguez, who has been performing well offensively since mid-May.
• Skenes has experienced mixed results this season, with some solid outings lowering his ERA to around 3.5 at times, but recent performances have caused his ERA to rise and the Pirates' record to suffer when he starts.
• Due to pitching schedules, Skenes and other top prospects like Misiorowski and Meyer will not participate in the upcoming All-Star Game, with other pitchers like Luzardo, Ashcraft, and O’Brien making their debuts.