Paul Skenes bombs in worst Opening Day Pirates start since the 1800s

Sep 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates began their season against the New York Mets, and while it's not an easy matchup, they had Paul Skenes on the mound. That should give any team confidence.

However, Skenes' Opening Day start against the Mets went very poorly. As Underdog MLB shared on Twitter/X, not only did he give up five earned runs, tied for the most in his career, but he also didn't even make it out of the first inning.

This 2026 season debut for Skenes wasn't just a bad outing; it was historically bad. In Pirates history, going as far back as possible, this was the only start on Opening Day to not go at least a full inning.

Paul Skenes has worst Opening Day start since 1800s

Since at least 1900, there hasn't been another starting pitcher in Pirates history who didn't make it at least one full inning. Skenes lasted just two outs into the game, being replaced in the first inning.

With the Pirates' history going back to 1882, and the game finder going back to 1898, there could have been a start just as bad back then. But the odds of such a bad start occurring back then are incredibly low.

And, at the very least, the odds that a starting pitcher had a worse Opening Day start for the Pirates than what Skenes did are incredibly small.

More: Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award, according to ESPN analyst

It's impossible to confirm that this was the worst start in Pirates history on Opening Day, but considering how bad things went, it would not be a surprise.

Skenes went just 0.2 innings, allowing four hits, two walks, hitting one batter, and allowing five runs, all earned, and striking out one before being pulled at 37 pitches in the first inning.

After this disastrous start, Skenes' ERA sits at 67.50. It's a ridiculous figure, but it's an accurate representation of how poorly his Opening Day start went against the Mets' new-look lineup.

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