Pirates ace Paul Skenes struggled in his Opening Day start against the Mets, giving five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning, matching the most runs he's allowed in a start and marking the shortest outing of his career. The loss was part of a larger rise that includes a Cy Young award in 2025 and a World Baseball Classic. Despite this setback, Szenes remains optimistic about the team's ability to reach the playoffs. Manager Don Kelly acknowledged Sken's importance to the team, citing his health as a concern for his performance and the importance of his stability and credibility. Despite the recent additions of Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn, too much of the Pirates' credibility and a lack of run support for Skenese remains.