Paul Skenes gives honest opinion on Mets' million-dollar superstar trio
Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 4-3 against a star-studded New York Mets lineup despite the reigning NL Rookie of the Year's solid outing from the mound.
Skenes went six innings deep, allowing just one earned run over six hits with six strikeouts. However, it wasn't enough, as Pete Alonso's walk-off RBI got the Mets over the line in a hard-fought contest.
The Mets had signed Juan Soto to a $765 million deal in the offseason to bolster an offense that also features Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. However, Skenes kept the trio in check, conceding one hit in their combined eight plate appearances against the Pirates ace on Monday.
But the young flamethrower acknowledged the quality of the trio on Tuesday.
"When they're bad, they're still good," Skenes said. "All three of those guys are those guys. Over the course of a season, guys are going to slump a little bit. Their slumps aren't slumps."
The Mets clinched the series after a second consecutive one-run victory against the Pirates, winning 2-1 on Tuesday. Soto drove in a run for the team while Lindor and Alonso went hitless in the win.
Although Soto has been lagging behind Lindor and Alonso, the Dominican slugger seems to be heating at the plate as the Mets continue to lead the National League East.
Soto is .255 with eight homers and 20 RBIs, while Lindor is batting .302 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. Alonso, leading the offense since re-signing with the team in the offseason, is batting .310 with 36 RBIs and nine homers.
Paul Skenes makes Team USA announcement for 2026 WBC
The Pirates ace will be representing his country next year as Paul Skenes announced his commitment to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday.
Skenes, who has represented the country at youth levels, is excited about playing for Team USA on the biggest stage.
"Now it’s everybody, it’s the best of the best. So, there’s no greater Team USA team to play on than this one and represent the nation on the biggest stage," Skenes said.
Veteran Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen was part of Team USA in 2017 when a young Paul Skenes watched the team win their first and only gold medal.