PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes has dominated just about every lineup he's faced since bursting onto the scene, but the St. Louis Cardinals remain his one true nemesis. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace fell to 0-5 against the Cardinals after a 10-5 loss that completed a four-game sweep at PNC Park—a rare stumble for baseball's brightest young star.

The loss dropped Skenes to 4-2 on the season, but don't let that 0-5 mark fool you. His career ERA against St. Louis sits at a sparkling 2.95, a testament to the almost impossibly high standard he's set since being selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Even after allowing five runs (four earned) in this outing, that number tells the real story: Skenes has been unlucky, not outpitched, against the Cardinals.

From the very first pitch, it was clear this wouldn't be one of those dominant afternoons Pirates fans have grown accustomed to. Skenes' third offering of the game—a 95 mph fastball, a tick below his usual 98-99 mph velocity—landed in the right-field seats courtesy of Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt. Three batters later, Jordan Walker turned on a sweeper that didn't sweep enough, sending it into the first row of bleachers in left to give St. Louis early momentum they never relinquished.

"Nobody expects more out of Paul Skenes than Paul does out of himself," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "When he has a game like today, we have to find a way to pick him up, because he picks us up all the time."

The almost maniacal preparation Skenes pours into every start is already the stuff of legend, even just two years into his career. He's the kind of pitcher who can be perfect in Milwaukee one day and look human the next, like on this afternoon when the command that seems to come so easily appeared far more ordinary than extraordinary. Against the Cardinals, he fell behind hitters early, struggled to put them away, and watched as St. Louis built a lead that proved insurmountable.

For the Pirates, this loss marked their first rough patch of the season. But for Skenes, it's another chapter in a growing rivalry with the Cardinals—one that's defined not by poor performance, but by a frustrating inability to get the win. As he continues his rapid rise from first overall pick to arguably the best pitcher in the game, you can bet he'll be circling his next start against St. Louis on his calendar.