What Did Paul Skenes Do Ahead Of The WBC Semifinals To Stay Locked In?
Pressure, noise, expectations – Paul Skenes faced it all when he took the mound for Team USA in the March 15, 2026, World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace knew every pitch mattered. With a loaded Dominican lineup and the score tight, it could’ve rattled anyone. Skenes, instead, stayed ice-cold, letting his stuff do the talking and trusting his defense to handle the moments that counted most.
The right-hander delivered a masterclass in composure. Team DR threatened, but Paul Skenes attacked the zone and kept the scoreboard clean, ultimately guiding the U.S. to a 211 victory. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. Every zero he stacked on the board pushed Team USA closer to a third straight WBC final. The bullpen and defense followed his lead, turning the tight contest into a textbook clutch performance.
After the game, Paul Skenes shared the simple mindset that carried him through:
“Just coming into the game, I wanted to put up as many zeroes as possible and put us in a position to win. Everybody else did their job. That was really fun to watch.”
“Just coming into the game, I wanted to put up as many zeroes as possible and put us in a position to win. Everybody else did their job, that was really fun to watch”@Ken_Rosenthal spoke with Paul Skenes after @USABaseball punched their ticket to the 2026 WBC Championship pic.twitter.com/iZO1jgkREl
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026
With the final looming on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Skenes now has one more shot to deliver another dominant performance on baseball’s biggest international stage.
Paul Skenes Set To Lead Pittsburgh Pirates As Ace Into 2026 Season
The Pittsburgh Pirates are betting big on Skenes to end their playoff drought. The ace enters his third MLB season after posting a 10-10 record with a 1.97 ERA last year, following an 11-3, 1.96 ERA rookie campaign.
ESPN analyst David Schoenfield expects Paul Skenes to repeat his sub-2.00 ERA, noting his 12 scoreless starts last season and minimal blow-up outings.
If Paul Skenes stays lights-out, he could lead Pittsburgh deep into the postseason. The Pirates open their 2026 campaign on March 26 against the New York Mets, and all eyes will be on their rising star ace.
What Did Paul Skenes Do Ahead Of The WBC Semifinals To Stay Locked In?
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