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Cubs Face Pirates with Skenes Struggling in Recent Outings

The Chicago Cubs confront Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who has surrendered nine earned runs across ten innings in his last two appearances.

Asude Karataş • 29 Mayıs 2026 03:00 • 3 dk okuma • 30 görüntülenme

The Chicago Cubs square off against the Pittsburgh Pirates with All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes experiencing his worst stretch of the season, having allowed nine earned runs in just ten innings across two recent losses. The matchup presents a potential opportunity for the Cubs' high-powered offense to exploit vulnerabilities from a normally dominant pitcher who has won a Cy Young award during his young career.

Skenes' recent performance represents a significant departure from his earlier consistency. Over his first eight starts this season, the Pirates' ace maintained an ERA below 1.10 with a 0.527 WHIP and 55 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. However, his last two outings have deteriorated sharply, with opponents making solid contact at unprecedented rates. Batted balls have landed in the launch angle sweet spot at 32.7 percent this season, the highest figure Skenes has experienced in his young MLB career. His strikeout rate has also declined noticeably during this downturn.

Chicago enters as an underdog despite possessing one of baseball's most consistent offensive weapons. The Cubs maintain a team batting average supported by a .725 on-base-plus-slugging percentage while averaging 4.73 runs per game. Most significantly, the team boasts a remarkable 16-1 record when producing double-digit hits, establishing themselves as a fundamentally sound offensive unit throughout the season. Their pitching staff has also shown recent resilience, with relief pitcher Jacob Webb posting a 0.69 ERA across eleven May appearances with 18 strikeouts against just two walks.

Colin Rea, the Cubs' starting pitcher, brings a 4.83 ERA into the contest, though he has demonstrated a 32.2 percent chase rate that could prove valuable against a Pirates lineup ranking third-worst in whiff percentage at 27.5 percent. Notably, Rea faced Pittsburgh three times last season and maintained a 2.65 ERA with a 0.941 WHIP, though Pirates hitters Nick Gonzales and Bryan Reynolds possess strong track records against him.

What has caused Paul Skenes' recent decline in performance?+

Opponents are squaring up his pitches at elevated rates, with 32.7 percent of batted balls landing in the launch angle sweet spot this season—the highest percentage of his career. His strikeout rate has also declined during this two-start stretch after previously maintaining elite levels.

How strong is the Cubs' offense this season?+

Chicago averages 4.73 runs per game with a .725 OPS. The team holds a 16-1 record when accumulating double-digit hits, demonstrating consistency in run production when the offense generates sufficient contact.

What advantage does Colin Rea hold against Pittsburgh?+

Rea maintains a 32.2 percent chase rate, which presents tactical advantages against a Pirates lineup that ranks third-worst in whiff percentage at 27.5 percent. He also posted a 2.65 ERA in three starts against Pittsburgh last season.

Why do some analysts expect the Cubs to win despite being underdogs?+

Skenes' recent performance degradation—allowing nine earned runs in ten innings—combined with Chicago's potent offensive capabilities creates a favorable matchup. The Cubs' consistency with double-digit hit production records increases their probability of scoring enough runs to overcome Pittsburgh.

What has been Jacob Webb's impact on the Cubs' pitching rotation?+

Webb has appeared in eleven games during May with a 0.69 ERA, allowing zero home runs while striking out 18 batters against just two walks, providing crucial relief support alongside the starting rotation.

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