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Paul Skenes burst onto the scene for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season en route to winning 2024 National League Rookie of the Year honors and finishing third in Cy Young Award voting.
The right-hander went 11-3 with a minuscule 1.96 ERA, 2.44 FIP, 0.95 WHIP and 11.5 strikeouts per nine in 133 innings pitched across 23 starts.
As Skenes now is in his first full big league campaign, many already consider him to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.
“Man, there’s so many. I’ll say Paul Skenes,” Mookie Betts said when asked who is the toughest pitcher to face.
Skenes made two starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and allowed a combined seven runs in 11 innings of work. However, Skenes posted an efficient 16-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in those two outings.
Betts went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts against Skenes in the first game and wasn’t in the Dodgers lineup when they faced him a second time due to recovering from a left hand fracture.
For Betts to say that Skenes is the most difficult pitcher to face speaks volumes about the 22-year-old’s potential. He boasts a powerful fastball that can reach 102 mph and complements it with an array offspeed pitches.
So far this year, Skenes is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA, 1.35 FIP and 0.74 WHIP in four starts. He leads NL pitchers in FIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.67) and has yet to allow a homer this season.
Skenes also generated some buzz for his appearance on the cover of GQ magazine alongside girlfriend and LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne.
Paul Skenes enjoyed pitching at Dodger Stadium
Skenes took only the second loss of his career in an Aug. 10 start against the Dodgers last year, but nevertheless enjoyed pitching at Dodger Stadium.
The Southern California native could get another opportunity to take the mound at Chavez Ravine when the Pirates visit the Dodgers for a three-game series from April 25-27.
The teams will later meet at PNC Park for another three-game set from Sept. 2-4.
More must-reads:
- Dream (but realistic) trade targets for every MLB team this offseason
- Three offseason trade targets for Blue Jays to add an impact bat
- The 'World Series single-game K leaders' quiz
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Three wild statistics about the 2025 World Series you may not know
The 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays will go down as one of the best seven-game Fall Classics in history. Won in extra innings by the Dodgers on Saturday night, this year's World Series had plenty of wild moments and memorable performances. However, there were also some things that happened during this year's World Series that were historic but also didn't make as many headlines as Yoshinobu Yamamoto's MVP pitching or Will Smith's World Series-winning home run. With that in mind, here are three things that will add this year's World Series to the baseball record books. This 2025 World Series was just like ... 1926? Sure, this year's World Series went seven games. However, the pattern of wins between Toronto and Los Angeles was unlike anything seen in the Fall Classic since the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees in seven games in 1926. Per Elias, the 2025 World Series was just the second-ever World Series to follow the path of the home team winning Game 1, road team winning Game 2, home team winning Game 3, and the road team winning Games 4 through 7, joining the Cardinals and Yankees 1926. The Dodgers player made headlines and history Los Angeles outfielder Justin Dean was in the middle of one of the most talked about plays of Game 6 when he signaled to the umpires that Addison Barger's hit to left-center in the ninth inning was wedged under the wall. With that signal, the umpires ruled it to be a dead ball, keeping Barger to a double and preventing Myles Straw from scoring from first base (he was held at third with the dead ball call). That decision kept the Los Angeles lead at 3-1, which would be the final as Tyler Glasnow worked his way out of the jam to record the save. Dean being put into the game for defensive purposes happened more than you might have thought during not only the World Series but the entire postseason as well. The 28-year-old Dean appeared in 12 games this postseason but did not register a plate appearance, entering a defensive replacement in center field 10 times and as a pinch-runner twice. His 12 games played during the postseason are the most ever in a single postseason without any plate appearances (among non-pitchers), surpassing the previous record of 10 games without a plate appearance by Clay Bellinger in 2000. Bellinger appeared in 11 games for the Yankees in 2000, getting a hit in his lone plate appearance. Hitting home runs? It's an international thing. Trailing 4-3 in the ninth inning of Game 7, Miguel Rojas of the Dodgers launched a game-tying home run, marking the 10th home run of the World Series hit by an internationally born player. Also joining Rojas as a player born outside the United States to hit a homer during the Fall Classic were Shohei Ohtani (three homers), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (two), Alejandro Kirk (two), Enrique Hernandez (one) and Teoscar Hernandez (one). Per Elias, the 10 home runs are the most in a single World Series by internationally born players, breaking a tie with 2017 and 2019, which had nine each.
Maple Leafs’ David Kampf Update After Comments to Marlies Players
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf has reportedly left the team’s AHL affiliate, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered an update on the situation Monday morning. Speaking about the situation on the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman shared that Kampf apparently made it clear to other Toronto Marlies players that he was done. As per his report, the disgruntled Maple Leafs forward left his teammates with the impression that he intended to terminate his contract. Furthermore, Friedman noted that Kampf’s absence from the Leafs’ lineup is not performance-related; rather, it stems from salary and roster constraints that currently prevent the team from accommodating him. Friedman noted: “I don’t know exactly what was said or how it was communicated, but Kampf did leave players with the Marlies with the impression that he was going to terminate his contract… He’s not out of the Leafs lineup because he’s not good enough, it’s because they can’t fit his salary and roster spot in right now. We’ll see how this plays out over the next few days. I certainly understand his frustration, and I think he made it clear the status quo just wasn’t good enough for him.” Kampf is annoyed by his situation, and the Maple Leafs are working to trade him. Unfortunately, the Leafs can’t find a taker for his contract. It has left Kampf feeling like he has little choice but to take the next steps available to him, which could include exploring opportunities elsewhere on a lower AAV with another NHL club. He and his agent must believe that if his cap hit weren’t what it is, an NHL franchise would give him a look and a chance to prove he’s worth the investment. Friedman suggested that the fact all of this has gone public might actually work to Kampf’s advantage, allowing him to gauge his market and might not have to take a hugely reduced deal.
The 'NBA 20-season club' quiz
Kyle Lowry checked in for the end of the Philadelphia 76ers 129-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets and he joined an elite group once he stepped on the hardwood. The Villanova product and former 24th-overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft became the 12th player in NBA history to play in 20 NBA seasons. It was Lowry’s first game action of the season for the 5-1 Sixers, and the Philadelphia-native made his lone field goal attempt in garbage time. “Who would have thought it for Kyle Lowry 20 years ago, right?” said head coach Nick Nurse after the win. While Lowry doesn’t have much of a role on the floor for Philadelphia at this stage of his career, Nurse said he’s still a valuable asset to the team. “He’s done a great job being part of our leadership group,” Nurse said of Lowry. “When the players are pulling for him out there, you can tell he’s well-liked and well-respected.” Which brings us to today’s quiz. How many of the 12 NBA players to play in at least 20 seasons can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Vikings snap count analysis and notable PFF grades from win over Lions
The Vikings got key contributions from all three phases in a 27-24 upset win over the Lions on Sunday at Ford Field. Let's dive into the week's snap counts and take a look at some notable PFF grades to see what stands out. Vikings offensive snap counts vs. Lions (out of 62) LG Donovan Jackson: 62 RG Will Fries: 62 RT Brian O'Neill: 62 LT Christian Darrisaw: 62 C Blake Brandel: 62 QB J.J. McCarthy: 62 WR Justin Jefferson: 59 WR Jordan Addison: 57 TE T.J. Hockenson: 48 RB Jordan Mason: 37 WR Jalen Nailor: 33 TE Nick Vannett: 27 RB Aaron Jones: 26 TE Ben Yurosek: 17 WR Adam Thielen: 4 OL Joe Huber: 2 It was encouraging to see the Vikings' entire offensive line, including Darrisaw and O'Neill, stay healthy throughout 60-plus snaps. At running back, Jones was excellent in the first half and would've comfortably out-snapped Mason on the day if he hadn't left early in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Initial reports are that Jones avoided a serious injury and has a chance to play next Sunday against Baltimore. Without Josh Oliver or C.J. Ham, the Vikings turned to Vannett and Yurosek as extra run blockers, and both put in solid performances. Four offensive snaps is a season-low for Thielen, who has played just 24 total over the past three games. Top 5 PFF grades on offense (min. 20 snaps) 1. Jones — 76.6 2. Jefferson — 72.8 3. Brandel — 68.0 4. Jackson — 67.4 5. Darrisaw — 65.7 This checks out. The Vikings' offensive line played well, and Jones and Jefferson were the top two weapons for J.J. McCarthy. Speaking of McCarthy, he just missed this list with a 63.5 grade, which feels pretty fair for how he played. Addison and Hockenson are right behind him, grade-wise. Low grades on the day went to Mason and Fries, but both were still above 55. Vikings defensive snap counts vs. Lions (out of 64) LB Blake Cashman: 64 S Josh Metellus: 64 CB Byron Murphy Jr: 64 S Harrison Smith: 64 OLB Jonathan Greenard: 62 CB Isaiah Rodgers: 61 DT Jalen Redmond: 58 LB Eric Wilson: 56 DT Jonathan Allen: 51 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel: 39 DT Javon Hargrave: 39 CB Fabian Moreau: 24 S Theo Jackson: 16 OLB Dallas Turner: 14 LB Ivan Pace Jr: 13 DT Levi Drake Rodriguez: 11 DT Elijah Williams: 4 This was quite the game for Brian Flores and the Vikings' defense, who made things tough on an elite Lions offense for most of the day. From a snap count perspective, the first thing that jumps out is Redmond playing 91 percent of the snaps. He's legitimately established himself as the best defensive tackle on a team that employs former Pro Bowlers in Allen and Hargrave. Cashman and Wilson were outstanding in this game. Allen made an impact. Hargrave was excellent. And the importance of Van Ginkel simply cannot be overstated. He changes everything. He was limited to playing 61 percent of the snaps in his return to action, but that number figures to rise next week. Van Ginkel's return coincided with Turner playing a season-low 14 snaps. It'll be interesting to see if that continues moving forward. Pace is merely a role player behind the Vikings' top two linebackers at this point, but he can still be effective when used as a blitzer. Stepping into the CB3 role in place of Jeff Okudah wasn't Dwight McGlothern, it was the veteran Moreau, who played well. Top 5 PFF grades on defense (min. 20 snaps) 1. Cashman — 90.8 2. Hargrave — 81.4 3. Van Ginkel — 75.1 4. Moreau — 73.4 5. Smith — 67.4 Cashman was simply fantastic in this game, whether it was in run defense or coverage or as a blitzer on the Vikings' many designed pressure looks with their off-ball linebackers. Hargrave and Van Ginkel were also instrumental in Minnesota's run defense. Moreau and Smith tackled well and were important in coverage. Wilson got dinged a bit for some missed tackles and ended up with a 63.5 grade, but when you watch the tape, he was absolutely everywhere. He had six pressures and two sacks, and even when he missed tackles, the fact that he arrived at the play so quickly helped lead to tackles for teammates. He looked like a star in this game. Lower grades on defense went to Redmond, Rodgers, Murphy, and Theo Jackson.
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