Pirates' Skenes ends sophomore season with MLB-best 1.97 ERA
Matt Dirksen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes joined exclusive company after tossing six shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
Skenes finished his sophomore campaign with a 1.97 ERA and became the first qualified pitcher to complete a season with an ERA under 2.00 since Justin Verlander in 2022.
In the past 10 seasons - not including the shortened 2020 campaign - six qualified pitchers have posted an ERA under 2.00.
| PITCHER | SEASON | ERA |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander | 2022 | 1.75 |
| Jacob deGrom | 2018 | 1.70 |
| Blake Snell | 2018 | 1.89 |
| Zack Greinke | 2015 | 1.66 |
| Jake Arrieta | 2015 | 1.77 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 2014 | 1.77 |
Only 51 pitchers have accomplished the feat during the live-ball era (since 1920) and none of them played for the Pirates.
Skenes is the front-runner to win the NL Cy Young award after finishing third during his rookie campaign in 2024.
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