The Pittsburgh Pirates' infuriating inability to build a competitive team around ace Paul Skenes reached a new boiling point when the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.
Allow me to explain.
Jayson Stark of The Athletic posted a stat on X Friday morning that is sure to make Pirates fans' hair stand on end. Quinn Preister – who started on the mound in Thursday's game – has made 28 starts for the Brewers this season, and Milwaukee has won the last 16 of them. Meanwhile, the Pirates have only won 16 of Skenes' 31 starts all season (and certainly not in a row).