# Skenes: Best baseball ahead after 2026 grind

> Skenes logs 200th strikeout in 2026 season, eyes better baseball ahead
- Title: Skenes: Best baseball ahead after 2026 grind · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: Skenes logs 200th strikeout in 2026 season, eyes better baseball ahead Skenes believes his best baseball is ahead after 2026 season with 200 strikeouts and…
- Keywords: paul skenes, seahawks, seattle, nfl, mlb, pittsburgh pirates, cardinals, 200 strikeouts, era, cy young, sports, Skenes
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-logs-200th-strikeout-in-final-2026-start
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paul skenes, seahawks, seattle, nfl, mlb, pittsburgh pirates, cardinals, 200 strikeouts, era, cy young, sports
## Skenes logs 200th strikeout
Skenes struck out 200 batters in 2026, becoming first Pirates starter with consecutive 200-plus K seasons since Bob Veale in 1964-66.

> It was a grind. It was definitely a grind.
## 2026 season review
Skenes finished 2026 with a 3.82 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 32 starts, keeping his ERA under 4.00 in final start.
## Pirates' 2-1 win
Pirates beat Cardinals 2-1 in 6 1/3 innings with Skenes allowing one run and recording eight strikeouts.
## Skenes' 2026 challenges
Skenes' ERA nearly doubled from 2024-2025, with velocity dip and 32 starts.
## Skenes' outlook
Skenes says his best baseball is ahead after 2026 season with 200 strikeouts and 32 starts.

> I think my best baseball is ahead of me and I think our best baseball is ahead of us.
## Offseason focus
Skenes plans to begin throwing again near end of October after 11-month season.
## Key takeaway

Skenes believes his best baseball is ahead after 2026 season with 200 strikeouts and 32 starts