Paul Skenes is the best (only) hope for Pirates
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Help us Paul Skenes, you're our only hope. Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Baseball is back, but hope doesn't spring eternal in Pittsburgh. That is, unless we're talking about National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes.
Why it matters: The Pirates finished last place last year and had another lackluster offseason without any major talent acquisitions, so fans' attention is laser focused on Skenes and the hope that he can have a historic season.
Driving the news: Skenes takes the mound in Miami today at 4:10pm against the Marlins as the 2025 MLB season kicks off.
How to watch: Broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh, or stream games on the SNP 360 app starting at $17.99 a month.
- Games are also broadcast over the radio on 93.7 FM.
Catch up quick: The Pirates finished last with a 76-86 record in 2024, their sixth losing season in a row, and no star free agents came in the offseason.
- The biggest name added was outfielder Tommy Pham, who is best known for his hot-headed nature and was once suspended for slapping an opposing player over a fantasy football dispute.
- Local legend and former MVP Andrew McCutchen was brought back.
Yes, but: The Pirates have a solid core consisting of two-time All Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds, speedster Oneil Cruz and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes.
- Top prospect and second-year pitcher Jared Jones suffered an elbow injury this week, but he avoided surgery and should return later this year.
State of play: Fans are understandably disgruntled after another losing season and ownership refusing to spend to bring in talent.
- The Pirates' payroll is $76 million, seventh smallest in the league.
- The growing chorus is calling for owner Bob Nutting to sell the team.
What they're saying: TribLive sports columnist Tim Benz said his No. 1 goal for the Pirates is to keep Skenes healthy.
- "That's my biggest wish. This is my Red Ryder BB gun. At least once every five days there will be a reason to attend or watch a game on television so long as Skenes is healthy," he said.
Context: Only two players over the Pirates' 138-year history have ever won the Cy Young award, the prize given to the league's top pitcher: Vern Law in 1960 and Doug Drabek in 1990.
- Betting markets have Skenes as the favorite to win the NL Cy Young, and ESPN's David Schoenfield predicts that Skenes will have the greatest season in Pirates' history for a starting pitcher.
What's next: The Pirates home opener at PNC Park is April 4.