Paul Skenes, one of Major League Baseball’s most outstanding pitchers in recent years, has faced a surprising snub during the 2026 MLB offseason rankings. Despite his dominant performances, former Mets manager Jim Bowden ranked Tarik Skubal ahead of Skenes, citing Skubal’s postseason impact and consistent achievements as reasons for the preference. This decision has sparked debate amid growing anticipation about the future of both arms.
Ranking the Top Pitchers: Skubal Edges Out Skenes
Jim Bowden recently discussed the ongoing debate between Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal in a video appearance. While acknowledging Skenes’ impressive numbers, Bowden placed Skubal as his top pitcher, ranking Skenes a close second.
“It’s hard to go away from him just because of what he’s done the last couple of seasons… Skenes has got to push him for sure… the righty deserves to be up there… in that number two spot for me,”
Bowden said.
Both Skenes and Skubal have been dominant forces in the MLB over the past two seasons, earning Cy Young Awards in 2025 in their respective leagues. Skubal secured the American League award, while Skenes took the National League honors. Throughout the 2025 season, Skubal achieved a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts across 195.1 innings, showcasing his durability and dominance. Skenes followed closely with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts over 187.2 innings, consistently stifling opposing hitters for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Their remarkable statistical achievements emphasize their rare combination of run prevention, high strikeout rates, and workload over two consecutive seasons. Skubal reached at least 228 strikeouts in both 2024 and 2025, ranking among the top American League strikeout leaders. Meanwhile, Skenes finished third in the National League Cy Young voting as a rookie in 2024 before winning the award unanimously the next year.
Adding to their accolades, each pitcher started the 2025 All-Star Game, underscoring league-wide respect for their sustained excellence. Public conversations, like those on MLB Network Radio, reflect the clear divide between these two elite pitchers. The debate persists in the Twitter zeitgeist, with fans and analysts weighing Skubal’s edge in clutch situations against Skenes’ consistent regular-season brilliance.
Postseason Performance Influences Ranking Disparity
When evaluating postseason impact, Skubal’s resume offers a distinguishing factor. His contributions helped the Detroit Tigers reach the playoffs for two consecutive years, where he started several high-pressure games. During the 2025 postseason, Skubal posted an exceptional 1.74 ERA across three starts, demonstrating his ability to perform when the stakes were highest.
In contrast, Paul Skenes has not yet had the opportunity to showcase his skills in an extended playoff run due to the Pirates missing October baseball. This lack of postseason exposure limits comparisons between the two in the most taxing baseball environments and could factor into Bowden’s ranking.
Skenes’ dominance in the regular season is undeniable, with a career-best 1.97 ERA through his first two MLB campaigns. However, the absence of playoff innings fuels uncertainty about how he might handle postseason pressure. Skubal’s playoff performances, including a complete-game shutout with 13 strikeouts recorded at 102.6 mph in May 2025, solidify his edge in Bowden’s assessment.
Still, both pitchers share remarkable feats uncommon for their age, including Cy Young Awards won before turning 30. Their ascendancy highlights the rarity of combining elite performance, workload, and youth in modern baseball.
What the Pirates Must Do to Support Skenes’ Postseason Bid
Despite Skenes’ outstanding numbers, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lack of run support has hampered his win totals and postseason hopes. In 2025, Skenes logged a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts but ended with a modest 10-10 win-loss record, primarily due to insufficient offensive backing. Improving this support is crucial if Pittsburgh wants to turn Skenes’ pitching dominance into meaningful postseason success.
The Pirates’ inability to acquire key hitters like Eugenio Suárez, who delivered 49 home runs and 118 RBIs last year, has left a glaring offensive void. Without adequate run production, Skenes’ brilliant outings often go unrewarded, with the Pirates typically scoring two runs or fewer during many of his starts.
Adding proven hitters remains a priority, and Marcell Ozuna emerges as a promising option. The three-time All-Star brought considerable power and plate discipline to his lineup with 21 home runs, 68 RBIs, a .355 on-base percentage, and 94 walks over 145 games last season. Ozuna’s ability to maintain contact and draw walks could significantly boost Pittsburgh’s run scoring and provide Skenes with the consistent support needed for pitching success to translate into victories.
This offseason move represents a strategic gamble: the cost to acquire Ozuna is expected to be manageable, and his presence could address the Pirates’ largest offensive weakness. Surrounding Skenes with effective hitters is vital for transforming his ace-level pitching into wins and a credible postseason push for Pittsburgh.
Now more than ever, the Pirates must protect their ace by building a well-rounded roster, ensuring his efforts are not wasted in low-scoring contests. The hope is that a reinforced lineup will finally propel Pittsburgh back into playoff contention, giving Skenes the platform to prove his full potential on baseball’s biggest stages.
The Broader Impact on MLB Pitching Landscape
The narrow competition between Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal symbolizes a rare pinnacle in MLB pitching talent. Their performances have defined the past two seasons and set a high bar for durability, effectiveness, and youth achievement. Analysts such as Jim Bowden and broadcast platforms like MLB Network Shredder consistently place these two pitchers in a tier of their own, shaping debates about who currently holds the mantle as the game’s best pitcher.
Their dueling excellence also underscores the challenges of comparing players absent similar postseason opportunities. As the 2026 season approaches, attention will mount on both pitchers to see if Skenes can elevate his profile come October and if Skubal can sustain his blend of regular season and playoff success.
For Pittsburgh and Paul Skenes, the offseason is a crossroads. Constructing a competitive roster that complements his pitching could define the team’s fortunes in the coming years. The broader MLB community watches closely, weighing the implications of this offseason decision and anticipating which pitcher will ultimately claim dominance in all facets of the sport.
Skubal vs. Skenes
Who's your NUMBER ONE❓
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