When Is Paul Skenes' Next Start? Why Pirates Changed Rotation Before Series vs. Tigers originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Paul Skenes has never attempted to skip a start for the Pirates, despite an abnormal 2026 campaign. Pirates manager Don Kelly respects that, but decided to spice things up to protect Skenes and the Pirates’ playoff hopes.
Skenes was supposed to start on August 16, ending a series against the Red Sox. However, Kelly stated on Saturday that Skenes' start has been pushed back to Wednesday, August 19.
With rain being a factor, Kelly wanted to give the reigning NL Cy Young winner seven days' rest between starts.
"We had talked about it when I showed up to the field today. I threw my bullpen and everything yesterday, and was fully anticipating starting tomorrow," Skenes said via MLB.com. "So, we talked about it when I showed up at the field.
"Ultimately, it was Donny's decision, but we had talked about it. And like I said after the last start, I'll have his back on whatever that is. I don't necessarily disagree with the decision either."
Skenes has not had the same microscopic ERA or staggering strikeout-to-walk ratios that defined his historic first two years, but he remains a constant force that leads the Pirates' rotation.
Paul Skenes 2026 stats
It’s been an up-and-down season for Skenes. He ended the first half of the season winning two straight. Skenes also went 7.0 innings and struck out eight against the Guardians in his first start after the All-Star break.
Since then, he’s lost three straight and, in two starts in August, owns a 3.60 ERA. He has a 9-11 record with a 3.88 ERA. His first two seasons saw ERAs of 1.96 and 1.97. Last year, his WAR was 7.6. This year, 2.0. Last year, opponents slashed .199/251/.307 against him. In 2026, they are slashing .228/.290/.375.
Fatigue could be a factor, as his average four-seamer is coming in at 96.8 mph, compared to 98.2 mph in 2025. However, Skenes continues to push himself, looking to prove he can produce a second-half comeback.
"Everybody deals with stuff. I think going through a full Major League season and not dealing with stuff, I don't know if there's ever been somebody who's done that," Skenes said. "So everybody's tired. Everybody's grinding, and we just got to keep going."
Paul Skenes career stats
| Year | W-L | ERA | G | GS | IP | SO | WHIP | BB | WAR | Awards |
| 2024 | 11–3 | 1.96 | 23 | 23 | 133.0 | 170 | 0.95 | 32 | 5.9 | NL Rookie of the Year, All-Star |
| 2025 | 10–10 | 1.97 | 32 | 32 | 187.2 | 216 | 0.95 | 42 | 7.6 | NL Cy Young Award, MLB ERA Leader, All-Star |
| 2026 | 9-11 | 3.88 | 25 | 25 | 134.2 | 166 | 1.12 | 37 | 2.0 | Selected as an NL All-Star |