Pirates Pitching Staff Still Faltering: Skenes, Keller, Chandler

Pirates Pitching Problems: Is a New Voice Hurting More Than Helping?

This analysis digs into the Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff and the early, mostly disappointing, impact of new pitching coach Bill Murphy.

We’ll look at why the team made the change, the struggles of key pitchers, a few surprising bright spots, and the big issues dragging the team down. There’s also a quick glance at the offense and some big matchups on the horizon.

A Bold Strategy with Baffling Results

After the 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a big move and parted ways with longtime pitching coach Oscar Marin.

They wanted a fresh voice and new ideas, hoping it would finally unlock their young arms. As we drift past June, though, it’s hard to ignore the reality: Bill Murphy’s first season hasn’t sparked the leap they’d hoped for.

The team’s progress just isn’t there, and honestly, it’s got a lot of people wondering if this was the right call.

A Regression Under the New Regime?

The most troubling part of the Murphy era so far? The pitching staff hasn’t improved, and in some cases, they’ve slipped backward.

The Skenes Conundrum

Even Paul Skenes, the presumed ace, hasn’t quite matched the jaw-dropping dominance he showed at this point last year.

His talent isn’t in question, but that slight drop in overpowering hitters is a real concern for a team that needs every edge.

Keller’s Career Sideways Slide

Mitch Keller’s continued struggles stand out.

He was supposed to bounce back with new coaching, but so far, he’s stuck in the same frustrating rut.

Chandler’s Stalled Development

Bubba Chandler’s story feels all too familiar.

After a promising debut last year, he just hasn’t shown the kind of progress you’d hope for from a young arm.

The Bullpen Blues

The bullpen? Things look even rougher there.

Isaac Mattson got sent down to Triple-A, a clear sign he’s not finding his footing in the majors.

Dennis Santana has had stretches where he’s been, frankly, almost impossible to watch.

The Pirates let Justin Lawrence go, designating him for assignment and then trading him away. They’re still searching for reliable options in the late innings.

Glimmers of Hope in the Darkness

Not everything is bleak, though.

Braxton Ashcraft, Carmen Mlodzinski, and Wilber Dotel have all shown real flashes of promise.

Lefty reliever Evan Sisk deserves a shoutout too—he’s given the staff a different look and some stability.

Still, those individual bright spots just aren’t enough to offset the bigger problems right now.

Underlying Factors and Injury Woes

Several things are fueling the Pirates’ pitching mess.

Early in the season, the team used the starting rotation cautiously, which put a heavy load on the bullpen. By June, the hope was that everyone would step up, but that hasn’t really happened.

Injuries have started piling up, too.

Brandon Lowe, Oneil Cruz, and prospect Konnor Griffin (all on the 10-day IL) are out for now. The team’s holding onto some optimism that they’ll be back soon, which could give the group a much-needed lift.

Strategic Moves and Offensive Anchors

On a tactical note, I really liked seeing Mason Montgomery used as an opener for Bubba Chandler. That move gave Chandler a more comfortable start in the second inning, and honestly, it probably led to his best outing so far this season.

Looking ahead, the spotlight shifts to Paul Skenes, who’s set to face the Dodgers on Tuesday. He’s done well on big stages before, so there’s a lot of curiosity about how he’ll handle hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman this time.

On offense, Spencer Horwitz keeps making his case as one of the team’s most valuable long-term pieces among current major league position players. His steady, confident approach at the top of the lineup stands out.

The young catcher Jhostynxon Garcia just got optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after a tough start in the majors. It’s a setback, but the organization still sees him as a key part of the future and expects him back after he gets some more seasoning in the minors.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Noah Hiles’ weekend thoughts: We’re still waiting on improvement from the Pirates’ pitching staff