Paul Skenes had to be almost perfect last year for the Pirates to have a chance. Times have changed
Paul Skenes spent last season pitching on a razor's edge, aware that one mistake could tilt the balance of a game, no matter how masterful the Pittsburgh Pirates ace might be. The offense that struggled to score whenever Skenes took the hill in 2025 — the main reason he had a 10-10 record alongside the 1.97 ERA that won him the National League Cy Young Award — has been transformed, both in personnel and in production, in 2026. It reached the point during a 16-5 victory over Washington on Monday night that Skenes was sort of hoping the Pirates would stop hitting during a 10-run sixth, if only so he could get back to work.
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'Fulfilled' Cub Swanson reflects on 22-year MMA career
The orange-and-black are back as Flyers celebrate clinching 1st playoff spot since 2020
Dan Vladar turned aside Carolina's fourth shootout attempt, threw his arms in the air and waited for the swarm of Flyers to mob him in celebration. The Flyers skated to center ice and raised their sticks toward a packed and rowdy crowd that hasn’t enjoyed a home playoff series since 2018 as “CLINCHED!” flashed on the big screen. Yes, Philadelphia — long ago one of the model franchises in the NHL — is indeed back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
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