MLB Insider Reacts to Skubal or Skenes Debate for Top SP

The Tigers' Tarik Skubal and Pirates' Paul Skenes are considered the best starting pitchers in MLB, but choosing between them is no easy task.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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While Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal and Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes are generally considered the best starting pitchers in MLB, selecting one over the other is anything but straightforward. ESPN's Buster Olney kicked off his 2026 positional rankings by highlighting the debate, with one talent evaluator responding bluntly: "Are you f--king kidding me with that?" Both Skubal and Skenes have put up dominant numbers, making the choice between the two aces extremely difficult.

Why it matters

The Skubal vs. Skenes debate highlights the incredible talent and depth of starting pitching in today's MLB. As two of the game's elite aces, their performances have a major impact on their teams' success and the overall competitive landscape of the league.

The details

Skubal is the two-time reigning Cy Young winner in the American League, posting a 2.61 ERA and 2.50 FIP since 2022 while averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Skenes, who debuted in 2024, has a 1.96 ERA and 2.40 FIP through 320.2 career innings, with 386 strikeouts. The pair boast similarly dominant pitch arsenals and statistical profiles, making the decision of who is the true No. 1 starting pitcher a true toss-up.

  • Skubal has won the AL Cy Young Award in 2024 and 2025.
  • Skenes made his MLB debut in May 2024.

The players

Tarik Skubal

A left-handed starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Skubal is the two-time reigning Cy Young winner in the American League.

Paul Skenes

A right-handed starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Skenes has been dominant since making his MLB debut in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“Are you f--king kidding me with that?”

— Unnamed Talent Evaluator (ESPN)

“One AL coach whose team has faced both pitchers said that when hitters return to the dugout after facing Skenes or Skubal, there is no bravado, feigned or real; they are just quiet, maybe because they felt overmatched in the batter's box.”

— Buster Olney, ESPN Insider (ESPN)

The takeaway

The debate over whether Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes is the true No. 1 starting pitcher in MLB highlights the incredible depth and talent of pitching in today's game. With both aces putting up dominant numbers and possessing elite stuff, there is no clear-cut answer, making the decision an almost impossible one for evaluators and fans alike.