Paul Skenes’s Struggles Can Be Traced to a Slight Windup Change
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Since June 9, Paul Skenes has struggled, posting a 3–5 record with a 5.28 ERA over 11 starts, coinciding with the Pirates going 3–8 in those games.
- Skenes altered his pitching stride on June 9, moving to a more direct delivery with less horizontal offset, which has negatively impacted his effectiveness, especially against right-handed hitters.
- The change in Skenes's stride and release point is unprecedented in his career and aligns with his recent slump, as detailed in a video and graph analysis.
- The Red Sox recently completed a historically hot stretch, becoming the 10th team since 1900 to achieve a 30-game run with a 27–3 or better record, outscoring opponents 180–84.
- During this streak, the Red Sox excelled in close games (7–1 in one-run games) and dominated when scoring more than three runs (24–0), showcasing their offensive strength.
