Paul Skenes Struggles to Find Rhythm as Pirates Fall Further from Playoff Picture The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a precarious position as they enter a critical three-game series against the Miami Marlins, with their ace pitcher Paul Skenes failing to deliver the performance expected of a reigning National League Cy Young winner. Skenes, who has struggled to find his groove this season, carries a 3.96 ERA in 24 starts, more than double his ERA from his first two Major League seasons. With the Pirates’ playoff hopes fading, the 25-year-old right-hander faces mounting pressure to turn his season around ahead of his 25th start of 2026. Skenes’ latest outing against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday highlighted both his potential and his inconsistencies. Despite allowing only three runs on two hits and no home runs over five innings, the game’s outcome was heavily influenced by his control issues. The pitcher walked four batters, including a rare four-pitch walk to leadoff hitter Brice Turang, which set the tone for a problematic fourth inning. In that frame, Skenes surrendered all three runs while walking three batters, throwing 34 pitches. His struggles were compounded by a lackluster offensive performance from the Pirates, who failed to capitalize on opportunities against left-hander Kyle Harrison. Postgame, Skenes acknowledged his shortcomings, stating, “Outside of that fourth inning, it was a pretty dang good outing. Probably need to get ahead in counts a little more just overall. You can’t walk guys. Probably just trying to be a little too perfect at times, and then you put yourself in those positions and kind of open yourself up to that.” His comments reflect a growing concern about his command, which has become a recurring issue in his third season.#miami_marlins #paul_skenes #brice_turang #pittsburgh_pirates #kyle_harrison
Red Sox's Biggest Mistake This Season Wasn't Alex Bregman Before the 2026 Major League Baseball season began, the Red Sox faced significant scrutiny for losing star infielder Alex Bregman. His departure dominated headlines, radio shows, and television talk shows, both in Boston and across the baseball world. While the team publicly emphasized Bregman as a priority, they failed to secure a long-term deal, leading to his free-agent move to the Chicago Cubs. Bregman’s performance with the Cubs has been solid but unremarkable, with a .246/.335/.359 slash line, four home runs, 14 RBIs, 22 walks, and five doubles in 42 games. Though he remains a better offensive option than the alternatives at the hot corner, his impact has not matched his previous contributions in Boston. The Red Sox’s biggest misstep, however, lies in the trade that sent Caleb Durbin and Kyle Harrison to the Milwaukee Brewers. Durbin, acquired as part of the deal, has shown defensive promise with Gold Glove-level play but has struggled offensively, posting a .165/.245/.241 line in 40 games. His offensive output has been minimal, leaving the Red Sox with a player who offers little value to their lineup. The trade’s true flaw centers on Harrison’s performance. Acquired from the San Francisco Giants in a 2025 trade that also sent Rafael Devers to the Red Sox, Harrison has underperformed in Milwaukee, posting a 2.41 ERA in seven starts across 33 2/3 innings. The Red Sox’s decision to trade Harrison without giving him an extended opportunity to develop has drawn criticism. Instead of allowing Harrison to prove himself, the team prioritized acquiring pitching depth, such as Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates. This approach has left the organization with a roster lacking depth at key positions, particularly in the middle infield.#chicago_cubs #red_sox #alex_bregman #kyle_harrison #caleb_durbin
Milwaukee Brewers Head to Boston for Key Series Clash Against Red Sox The Milwaukee Brewers, riding a three-game winning streak to open the 2026 season and sitting at 7-2 overall, are set to face the Boston Red Sox in a pivotal series beginning April 6. The matchup marks a rematch of a contentious trade history between the two teams, as Milwaukee acquired pitchers Quinn Priester and Kyle Harrison, along with outfielders Shane Drohan and David Hamilton, in a 2024 deal. In exchange, Boston sent Yophery Rodriguez, two draft picks, a player to be named later (John Holobetz), Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler. So far, the Brewers have thrived with Priester and Harrison contributing solidly, while the Red Sox have struggled to integrate Durbin and Monasterio into their lineup. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have stumbled to a 2-7 start through their first three series, losing two of three to the Cincinnati Reds, being swept by the Houston Astros, and falling two of three to the San Diego Padres in their most recent set. Their struggles have been compounded by injuries, with key players sidelined. For Milwaukee, Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio are expected to miss significant time, with Vaughn out until mid-May and Chourio sidelined until late April. Additional setbacks include Sal Frelick, who exited Saturday’s doubleheader with left-side tightness, and Quinn Priester, who is recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome and aims for a May return. Craig Yoho could be ready in April but may start the season with Triple-A Nashville, while Rob Zastryzny’s rehab has hit a snag, pushing his return to an uncertain date. Outfielder Akil Baddoo is also out until midseason with a quad strain.#boston_red_sox #milwaukee_brewers #quinn_priester #kyle_harrison #shane_drohan
