Paul Skenes aims for first win in eight starts vs. Reds
Paul Skenes starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, June 26, when the Cincinnati Reds and Pirates open a three-game series at PNC Park. The Pirates ace is chasing his first win in eight outings since May 12, while the Reds counter with Andrew Abbott as they look to rebound after a Milwaukee sweep. The reds pirates opener carries extra weight for both clubs in the NL Central.
Key Takeaways
- Skenes (6-7, 2.86 ERA) opposes Abbott (5-4, 3.83 ERA) in a 6:40 p.m. ET start at PNC Park.
- Pittsburgh has lost each of Skenes' last seven starts; his last victory came May 12 against Colorado.
- Skenes beat Cincinnati on April 1, allowing one run on three hits over five innings in an 8-3 Pirates win.
- The Reds enter on a three-game skid after a Brewers sweep and Abbott is coming off a win over the Yankees.
- The Pirates took two of three from Seattle earlier in the week.
Why hasn't Paul Skenes picked up a win since May?
Skenes began May with back-to-back eight-inning victories, but he has not recorded a win since May 12 against the Colorado Rockies. In the seven starts since, Pittsburgh has lost every time he has taken the mound.
Run support has been the recurring problem. In five of those seven outings, Skenes took the loss, including in each of his last two appearances. He has thrown six innings and allowed two earned runs in each of his last three starts, yet the Pirates scored just one run in a 2-1 defeat at Coors Field on June 20.
Despite the streak, Skenes has pitched to a 4.03 ERA over 38 innings during the winless stretch. His overall line sits at 6-7 with a 2.86 ERA. As MLB.com noted, he also failed to earn a win last June despite four starts of two earned runs or fewer.
How did Skenes fare against the Reds earlier this season?
Friday marks Skenes' second start against Cincinnati in 2026. On April 1 in Cincinnati, he earned the win in an 8-3 Pirates victory after allowing one run on three hits over five innings.
Andrew Abbott started opposite him that day and took the loss, giving up four earned runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. The rematch gives Skenes a chance to build on that result while ending Pittsburgh's skid behind its top starter.
What is Andrew Abbott bringing into this Reds-Pirates matchup?
Abbott enters at 5-4 with a 3.83 ERA and has pitched at least five innings in each of his last 10 starts. His most recent outing was a June 20 win at Yankee Stadium, when he allowed one earned run on five hits over five innings in a 10-2 Reds victory.
Cincinnati needs that form after being swept by Milwaukee to open the week. Abbott's April 1 start against Pittsburgh did not go his way, but he has pitched at least five innings in every start over his last 10 outings.
Why does this series opener matter for the NL Central?
Both clubs are trying to gain ground in a competitive division. The Pirates are building on a week in which they won two of three against Seattle, while the Reds are looking to rebound quickly after the Brewers sweep.
A divisional series in late June can shape the summer narrative, and Friday's pitching duel sets the tone. For more live sports coverage, follow our Celebrity Breaking News section.