Paul Skenes dominates the Tigers in a 3-0 Pirates win on July 22, 2025. See how Skenes, McCutchen, and Reynolds snapped the team's losing streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
After a frustrating three-game slide, the Pittsburgh Pirates needed a stopper, a spark, an ace. On Tuesday night, they got all of that and more from rookie sensation Paul Skenes, who completely dismantled the Detroit Tigers in a dominant 3-0 shutout victory at PNC Park. It was a masterful performance that reminded everyone just how high the ceiling is for this young Bucs team.
6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. Paul Skenes was simply unhittable.
From the first pitch, Paul Skenes was in complete control. The rookie right-hander carved up the Tigers lineup for six scoreless innings, allowing just three scattered hits while striking out seven. He was efficient, powerful, and poised, lowering his season ERA to an impressive 2.98. It was the kind of outing that stops a losing streak cold and energizes an entire fanbase, showing exactly why he's one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory. The bullpen held the line, with David Bednar slamming the door with a perfect ninth for his 19th save.
While Skenes handled the pitching, the offense provided just enough timely thunder. Bryan Reynolds continued his solid work at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double that got the Pirates on the board. But the exclamation point came from the legend himself, Andrew McCutchen, who launched a solo home run in the sixth inning to provide a crucial insurance run. It was a classic Cutch moment that gave the pitching staff all the breathing room they would need.
As if watching Skenes dominate wasn't exciting enough, the future looks even brighter down on the farm. Top prospect Bubba Chandler is putting on his own show at Triple-A Indianapolis, recently earning International League Pitcher of the Month honors. With a sparkling 2.17 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in just over 37 innings, Chandler is making a compelling case for a big-league call-up. While the team is carefully monitoring his workload, the thought of a one-two punch of Skenes and Chandler in the rotation is enough to make any Pirates fan dream big.
With the losing streak snapped and Paul Skenes dealing like a seasoned ace, the Pirates have a chance to build real momentum. The combination of his dominance in the majors and Bubba Chandler's impending arrival paints an incredibly bright picture for Pittsburgh's pitching staff. Nights like this feel less like a pleasant surprise and more like a glimpse of a very exciting future.
