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Skenes' Struggles: Is the WBC to Blame?
19 Aug
Summary
- Paul Skenes' ERA has risen from 1.98 to 5.00 since April.
- Fifteen of 29 Team USA players are on the injured list.
- Cal Raleigh is hitting .158 with a .564 OPS after a 60-homer season.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night at PNC Park after an extended rest period. This outing is being closely watched for his response following a slump where his ERA increased from 1.98 to 5.00 since April. Despite assurances from Skenes and the Pirates that he is not injured, the performance dip has raised questions.
Concerns about the World Baseball Classic's (WBC) impact on pitchers have resurfaced, with five other Team USA pitchers experiencing arm or shoulder issues and landing on the injured list. In total, 15 of the 29 Team USA players have faced injury setbacks this season, including issues like elbow injuries, calf strains, and broken legs.
On the position player side, some former Team USA participants like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Schwarber are excelling. However, Cal Raleigh stands out as a notable exception, batting just .158 this season after hitting 60 home runs in 2025. While some attribute struggles to the WBC's early ramp-up, there's limited concrete evidence to blame the tournament directly for individual slumps.
