Player of the gamePaul SkenesPIT6.1ip 3h 1er 2bb 8k
A year ago, Paul Skenes was on top of the world. In his final start of 2025, also on Sept. 24, Skenes put the finishing touches on a National League Cy Young campaign, going four scoreless to keep his ERA under 2.00 for the year. Fast forward a season later, on the same date, Skenes fought to keep his ERA under 4.00 in his final start. Skenes finished a bumpy 2026 on a positive note, allowing one run in 6 1/3 innings in the Pirates' 2-1 win over the Cardinals in Thursday afternoon's home finale at PNC Park. Skenes logged a 3.82 ERA and 200 strikeouts in ‘26, becoming the first Pirates starter with consecutive seasons of 200-plus K’s since Bob Veale (1964-66). St. Louis took the lead on Skenes in the top of the first with a solo homer by Alec Burleson. After Burleson’s shot, the Pirates tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on a single by Brandon Lowe. A stalemate then took place throughout the afternoon. Skenes mowed down Cardinals batters, recording eight strikeouts and allowing three hits and two walks. He induced soft contact, and even played some defense to turn a 1-6-3 double play to end the fifth inning.
