What happened: Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes issued only three walks across his recent stretch on the mound. Analyst Al Leiter noted the performance stems from an increased reliance on his four-seam fastball.
Why it matters: The tactical shift arrives as Pittsburgh looks to build on its 46-43 record. The franchise has won four of its last five games and needs sustained rotation stability.
By the numbers: Pittsburgh has averaged 5.5 runs scored per game this season compared to 4.9 runs allowed.
What to watch: The Pirates will test their momentum in a scheduled matchup against the New York Yankees.