Paul Skenes makes history in a 6-0 Pirates win over the Diamondbacks on July 27, but will Mitch Keller be traded to the Cubs before the deadline?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a tale of two realities for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. On the diamond, Paul Skenes was nothing short of historic, leading the Bucs to a dominant 6-0 shutout over the Arizona Diamondbacks. But in the background, the buzz wasn't just about the win; it was about the bombshell report that the Chicago Cubs are making a serious push for Mitch Keller, a potential trade that could reshape the franchise's future.
'This is the place that I grew up.' - A reflective Zac Gallen, the losing pitcher for Arizona, on the human toll of trade season after what might have been his final start for the Diamondbacks.
Paul Skenes is rewriting the record books. In another breathtaking performance, the Pirates' ace mowed down the Diamondbacks, striking out nine over six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. The outing lowered his career ERA to a staggering 1.89, making him the first pitcher in MLB history to maintain an ERA below 2.00 through his first 45 career starts. Skenes has yet to allow a first-inning run all season, setting a tone of dominance from the first pitch. The offense provided plenty of support, with Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes each driving in two runs. Carmen Mlodzinski slammed the door shut, preserving the team's second straight shutout with a pair of nasty strikeouts in the ninth.
While Skenes dazzled, the biggest news was brewing off the field. Reports surfaced that the division-rival Chicago Cubs are aggressively pursuing Mitch Keller, reportedly willing to part with their top prospect, outfielder Owen Caissie. Caissie, ranked No. 37 overall by MLB Pipeline, is tearing up Triple-A with a .278/.377/.563 slash line, 20 homers, and 46 RBI. For a Pirates team desperate for offensive firepower, the offer is tempting. GM Ben Cherington is faced with a monumental decision: trade a proven All-Star starter with a 3.53 ERA for a potential middle-of-the-order bat, or keep the rotation intact for a potential playoff push? The pressure of the deadline was palpable even in the opposing dugout, as D-backs starter Zac Gallen, who took the loss, openly contemplated his own uncertain future with Arizona.
Regardless of what happens at the trade deadline, the future continues to look bright down on the farm. No. 6 prospect Edward Florentino added to the system's highlights by launching a solo home run on Sunday. This comes on the heels of a strong week for the farm, which saw recent top pick Konnor Griffin collect a four-hit game and pitcher Bubba Chandler fan seven batters in his last outing. These promising performances provide a safety net and a reminder that the talent pipeline is flowing, whether it's supplemented by a major trade or not.
As PNC Park buzzed with another Skenes masterpiece, the front office is playing a high-stakes game of its own. The next few days will define the Pirates' season and beyond. Will Ben Cherington pull the trigger on a franchise-altering trade for Mitch Keller? Or will the Pirates stand pat, betting on their current rotation to make a run? One thing is certain: with the trade deadline looming, the drama is just getting started in Pittsburgh.
