Dynasty
Nastiest GIFs
The List
Dynasty
Nastiest GIFs
The List
+

MLB News & Moments: Paul Skenes, Still Awesome

Poor Brewers, they must be tired of facing Cy Youngs.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 2 Hours Ago

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

If you think that Friday’s highlights were full of homers and not much pitching (except for the brilliance of Paul Skenes), you would be completely right. In a year that appears to feature a livelier ball and a growing emphasis on the long ball, Friday encapsulated it in a perfect way, with 50 homers being hit across MLB and an average of 9.6 runs per game.

For a site that was built upon the idea that pitching is the name of the game, it may be weird to get excited about such a day, but it is hard to deny that long balls are great for the game (and for fast-paced highlight reels).

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Almost Perfect

Remember when Paul Skenes started the season with a 67.50 ERA? That was only four weeks ago, but it may just be a prehistoric relic when you consider how quickly he has returned to his dominant form. In what may have been his best ever start, Skenes flirted with perfection after retiring the first 20 batters he faced, with only a Jake Bauers single denying a date with history. By that point, the Pirates had built a 4-0 lead and then added a couple more runs in the eighth, and Skenes was removed with only 93 pitches and seven strikeouts to his name. Pittsburgh’s offense was relentless and multi-faceted, with rookie Konnor Griffin headlining the day with his first career homer and three total RBI. By the time the 6-0 score ended the game, Skenes’ ERA was down to a sparkly 2.87, and the Pirates became the fourth NL team to reach 15 wins.

Imperfect 10

In a game between teams going in completely opposite directions, Atlanta improved upon the best record in baseball, while the Phillies added to their misery by losing for the 10th straight time. Things started promisingly for the Phils, as a Trea Turner two-run homer in the third opened the scoring, but that was quickly matched by a Ronald Acuña, Jr. blast. Bryce Harper would regain the lead with a solo blast in the fifth, but Andrew Painter could not hold his end of the bargain, as Atlanta roared back with a three-run sixth to take a 5-3 advantage they would not relinquish. Even as the Phillies had the tying runs on base in the ninth, they could not convert on their chance, as they now own the worst record and worst run differential in the game. Their 10-game losing streak is the worst for the franchise since 1999.

Perfect 10

On a game that featured multiple defensive highlights, the Cubs were able to overcome an early 4-0 deficit to win 6-4 in Los Angeles. Will Smith gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead that looked secure with Emmet Sheehan dealing, as the righty would exit in the seventh with only a run allowed and 10 strikeouts to his name. Alas, the Dodger bullpen could not keep the Cubs at bay, as Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, and Tanner Scott would combine to allow five runs. An Alex Bregman solo shot in the eighth tied the game, while Dansby Swanson played hero with a two-run blast of his own to win the game. In what may be the most concerning development for the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani went hitless and owns a paltry-for-his-standards .794 OPS. The Cubs have now won 10 straight, while the Dodgers lost for the fifth time in their past seven games.

Bronx Bombing

With teams like the Mets and Phillies grabbing all the headlines for disappointing results in 2026, the Houston Astros have flown a bit under the radar in that regard. Dead last in the AL West and with the worst pitching staff in the Junior Circuit, facing the red-hot Yankees at home was probably the last thing they needed, and the result was utterly predictable. New York started the game with a three-spot, but the power display would not start until the second, as a Ryan McMahon solo homer became the first of four long balls for the Yankees. On the mound, Will Warren was efficient and effective, tossing six innings of two-run ball that included six strikeouts. Even as the Astros amassed 11 hits, they could not convert on their chances, going 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, as the Yankees cruised to a 12-4 win.

Get Lowe, Get Lowe

Last night’s earliest start came in Cincinnati, as the Reds took on the Tigers in a matchup of playoff contenders. Things looked rosy for Detroit as they opened the game with a 5-0 lead and had Framber Valdez on the mound, but it would get wacky and turn this affair into the most exciting Friday game. A Matt McLain two-run homer would cut into the deficit and saw Valdez depart an out before qualifying for the win in the fifth, followed by a Nathaniel Lowe solo blast in the sixth that made the game 5-3. With inclement weather attacking Cincinnati, the game had to be stopped in the top of the seventh, as a two-hour rain delay would be the preamble for what was to come. The Reds stormed (no pun intended) Detroit’s bullpen with a four-run seventh to take the lead, but a clutch Kerry Carpenter two-run homer would mount another comeback, with now the Tigers taking an 8-7 lead as Kenley Jansen came in for the save. Jansen got two quick outs and was a strike away from closing the game, but a Spencer Steer single gave life to Cincinnati, followed by Nathaniel Lowe turning an 0-1 sinker for the walk-off two-run homer that sent the few remaining fans into a frenzy. For those who held on for the five-hour marathon, it was all worth it.

 

By The Numbers

 

10 The Cubs have now won 10 straight games, for the first time in 10 years, as the curse-breaking 2016 squad was the last to do it. They are still far from the franchise record, as the 1935 Cubs won 21 in a row.

1.447 With a .395/.500/.947 slash line, Munetaka Murakami owns a 1.447 OPS over his past 10 games, as he homered again to now have 11 long balls for the season.

7 The number of Nathan Eovaldi pitches the A’s needed to start the game with a 3-0 lead via solo homers from Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, and Carlos Cortes.

20 On the day he turned 20 years old, and on his 20th career game, Konnor Griffin hit his first MLB homer.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Win One for Dinger

One of the most fun and endearing mascot-related stories of the past few years has been Dinger’s failed courtship of Mrs. Met. With the Rockies visiting Queens, Colorado’s dino-themed mascot tried his best to make an impression, only to be outshined by Mr. Met, who defended his territory in impressive push-up fashion. However, things were different on the field, as the Rockies rode an impressive Michael Lorenzen start (one run over seven innings) to ultimately win 4-3, giving Dinger something to smile about.

Turning the Pages

With the Dodgers holding a strong 4-0 lead in the fourth, Alex Bregman hit a single that appeared certain to score Chicago’s first run of the game. Andy Pages begged to differ, though. Despite taking a weird route to the ball, Pages showed enough arm strength to get Michael Busch at the plate, with Will Smith completing the play with a perfect tag. The play seemed key at the time, but the Cubs would find a way to come all the way back and take the series opener.

Zack Attack

The A’s had an all-around excellent day in Arlington, with Luis Severino allowing only one run to earn his first win of the season, while the offense hit five homers en route to an impressive 8-1 win. The highlight of the game happened on defense, though, as Zack Gelof squashed any hope for a Rangers comeback. With Brandon Nimmo at the plate and a runner on first, the former Met hit a ball far into center field, where a homer looked certain, but Gelof tracked it down and leapt expertly to catch it, keeping the 6-1 score intact. Things would come full circle in the ninth, as Gelof hit his first homer of the season to complete the rout.

https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/2047852458567995436

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Reds have placed third baseman Eugenio Suárez on the 10-day IL with a low-grade oblique strain. While the injury could be a downer in Cincinnati’s great start to 2026, it appears to be a precautionary measure that does not linger. Suarez is expected to return quickly, with JJ Bleday ready to take his roster spot and the Reds now having some flexibility for the DH role. 

⚾ With the Blue Jays off to a rough start, management has taken a drastic measure, with high-priced closer Jeff Hoffman being removed from the primary stopper role. Having blown three saves and with a 7.59 ERA to his name, Hoffman appears to still have lingering effects from his heartbreaking World Series performance. In the meantime, Toronto will move to a closer-by-committee approach, with Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers being the top candidates to close games. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

A Full Team of 2026 Feel-Good Stories — Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com

The W is for Work in Progress — Ryan Blake, Fangraphs

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Waiver Wire Picks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

Subscribe to the Pitcher List Newsletter

Your daily update on everything Pitcher List

Pablo Figueroa

Follow the author on Twitter

Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

Account / Login