Pirates' Skenes Aims for 7-Month Season, Postseason Push

The young ace is setting lofty goals to lead Pittsburgh back to the playoffs.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In his first two MLB seasons, Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has already won Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award. Now, the 24-year-old is setting his sights even higher, telling reporters he plans to "throw seven months of baseball" in 2026 and lead the Pirates to their first postseason appearance since 2015.

Why it matters

The Pirates have struggled to reach the playoffs in recent years, last making it in 2015 before losing in the Wild Card game. Skenes' dominant performances and ambitious goals have given the team and its long-suffering fans renewed hope that they can end that drought and potentially make a deep postseason run.

The details

Skenes said his plan is to "be built up, ramped up" for the playoffs, even if it means throwing more innings than a typical MLB season. The last time the Pirates won a postseason series was in 1979 when they won the World Series. Their most recent playoff victory came in 2013 against the Cincinnati Reds, but they lost in the next round to the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • The Pirates' last postseason appearance was in 2015, when they lost in the Wild Card game.
  • The Pirates' last postseason series win was in 1979, when they won the World Series.

The players

Paul Skenes

A 24-year-old pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who has won Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award in his first two MLB seasons.

Pittsburgh Pirates

A Major League Baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that has struggled to reach the playoffs in recent years, last making it in 2015.

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What they’re saying

“I'm planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26. I don't know how many innings you play in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up, ramped up for that.”

— Paul Skenes (Post-Gazette Sports)

What’s next

The Pirates will need to have a strong regular season in 2026 to make the playoffs, and Skenes' performance will be crucial to their success.

The takeaway

Skenes' ambitious goals have given the Pirates and their fans renewed hope that the team can end its playoff drought and potentially make a deep postseason run, something the franchise has not achieved since its World Series victory in 1979.