Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skeens Hopes for Team USA Success at WBC
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skeens is feeling optimistic as Team USA gears up for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). He’s been following their previous performances, especially noting the American domination during the Winter Olympics in Milan.
Scheduled to start on March 5th, Skeens is part of a strong lineup for Team USA that includes big names like Aaron Judge, Cal Lowry, and Tariq Skubal. He pointed out the impressive achievements of the U.S. teams at the Milan-Cortina Games, where both the men’s and women’s hockey teams secured a record 12 gold medals, highlighted by a thrilling victory over Canada in overtime.
When discussing Team USA’s momentum leading into the WBC, Skeens didn’t hold back his enthusiasm. “With all the gold medals we won at the Olympics,” he said, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to showcase its strength on the international stage. “It’s going to be fun. If America wins, that’s what we’re going to do. We’ve got to keep doing it.”
However, the team’s setup is somewhat complex, as Skubal, the current American League Cy Young Award winner, will only make one start before heading back to spring training. Skeens is expected to pitch multiple times, but there’s a catch: Team USA must continue to advance in the tournament for him to have that opportunity.
Talking about his reasons for joining Team USA, Skeens mentioned his desire to represent those who serve the country. “We’re doing this to represent the men and women who fight for us,” he shared, recalling his own journey where he considered a military career while playing for the Air Force before moving to LSU.
The presence of players like Judge, the reigning AL MVP, further fuels his excitement. Skeens is eager to contribute to Team USA’s success against formidable teams like Japan and the Dominican Republic.
Last season, Skeens had an impressive performance, earning the National League Cy Young Award after starting 32 games with a remarkable 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts.
