Our M’s just pulled off a clutch 6-5 win against the Astros, and man, that felt good. But if you’re like me, you’re already thinking about what that means for next season and the crazy world of pitching. Right now, Paul Skenes is putting up a shocking 5.06 ERA over his last 15 starts, and it’s making even the most seasoned fantasy experts sweat about how tough it is to rank future arms, even for our own Logan Gilbert.
What the Heck Happened to Paul Skenes?
Coming into this season through June, Skenes looked like the next big thing, maybe even the best young pitcher we’d seen in 40 years! But then something flipped. Over his last 15 starts, he’s sporting that ugly 5.06 ERA. His velocity is down, his production is just mediocre, and it doesn’t feel like a normal slump, does it? Skenes himself admitted he’s been tweaking his mechanics all season trying to find his old form, but nothing has really helped. He had a glimmer of hope in August, but then he gave up five runs in his most recent start against the *Royals*, of all teams! He’s only got one start with more than five strikeouts in his last seven, and just six with more than six Ks since late June. He just hasn’t looked like an impact pitcher for a long, long time. What’s even wilder, both Skenes and the Pirates keep saying he’s healthy. If it was some lingering injury, you could hope for an offseason fix. But this complete collapse without a good explanation? It’s tough to wrap your head around. I’m not buying the World Baseball Classic as a cause, sorry not sorry.
Why Pitchers Like Logan Gilbert Make Us Sweat for 2027
Here’s the frustrating truth about pitchers: they can just stop being good seemingly overnight. That’s what makes Skenes’ sudden dropoff so concerning. It’s not like a hitter who can just be in a slump; with pitchers, it often feels more permanent. This unpredictability is exactly why guys like Garrett Crochet, Jesus Luzardo, and our own Logan Gilbert are headlining the starting pitchers presenting “difficult 2027 Fantasy decisions.” The experts are still working on their rankings, but right now, Skenes is nowhere near a top-12 option, possibly even dropping below top-24. It shows how even the most promising arms can become a huge risk or a huge win depending on who’s willing to take a chance.
We just saw our M’s snatch a huge 6-5 win against the Astros, which is always sweet. But seeing what’s happening with Skenes? It’s a gut check. It reminds you how wild and unpredictable pitching can be, and why guys like our own Logan Gilbert, despite being awesome, will always be a puzzle for those trying to predict 2027. We’ll be watching closely as the season progresses and those rankings drop next week. Go M’s!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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