The Pittsburgh Pirates possess a strong pitching rotation but are underutilizing their ace, Paul Skenes, who has a 4-2 record and 3.18 ERA in 2026. Averaging less than five innings per start, Skenes’ pitch-heavy style leads to high pitch counts and raises concerns about his long-term value to the team amid trade rumors. With the Pirates struggling at the bottom of the NL Central, they must prioritize winning by maximizing Skenes’ contributions. The team’s cautious approach may hinder their playoff aspirations.
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