Skenes' Final Start of Season Caps Pirates' Home Stand
Pitcher Paul Skenes is set to make his last start of the season against the Cardinals, with the Pirates aiming to send fans home happy.
Paul Skenes will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates in his final start of the 2026 season on Thursday, facing the St. Louis Cardinals in the team's last home game. Fans attending the game will receive a Paul Skenes-autographed “Terrible Towel.”
Despite the excitement for Skenes' final appearance, his third year has presented statistical challenges. The pitcher has recorded the most losses (11), most hits allowed (143), most walks (47), and most home runs allowed (19) on the season. His earned run average stands at 3.91. The report also noted a dip in Skenes' social media followers to 800,000, contrasting with his girlfriend Livvy Dunne's 13 million followers.
The Cardinals are scheduled to counter with pitcher Kyle Leahy. In his previous outing against the Washington Nationals, Leahy surrendered six runs in just three innings. Analysts suggest this matchup presents an opportunity for the Pirates to secure a victory and conclude their home schedule on a positive note.
One betting prediction favors Skenes and the Pirates in this matchup, with a wager of $50 placed on the Pirates at -162 odds. Another notable result mentioned was the Philadelphia Phillies' 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, where pitcher Aaron Nola gave up two home runs.
