Since the live-ball era, the second lowest ERA: Skenes says the Cy Young Award is beyond his control.

Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' first overall pick and last season's NL Rookie of the Year, has maintained his strong pitching presence this year. Still, claiming the Cy Young Award is not an easy task.

In today's final game of the series against the Colorado Rockies, Skenes pitched seven innings, allowing only three hits, no runs, and striking out seven, leading his team to a 4-0 shutout victory and completing a series sweep along with a recent four-game winning streak. Even more impressive, his ERA this season stands at just 2.07.

An ERA of 2.07 not only tops the National League but also ranks first across Major League Baseball, outperforming second-place and American League leader Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, who has a 2.36 ERA.

With 181 strikeouts so far this season, 161 innings pitched, a WHIP of 0.94, and a batting average against of .195—each ranking second in the NL—Skenes certainly has a shot at the NL Cy Young. The biggest hurdle, however, is that he has only secured his eighth win this season, nearly half of the 15 wins by Brewers’ Freddy Peralta.

Since the Cy Young Award was established in 1956, the Pirates have had only two winners: Vern Law in 1960 and Doug Drabek in 1990. The 95-year-old Law recently commented on Skenes, saying, “I think he has a chance. I hope so; that would be wonderful. And with a few more years, he will only get better.”

According to MLB’s official site, including today’s game, Skenes has made 50 career starts with an ERA of just 2.02. This is the second-lowest ERA for a pitcher’s first 50 starts in the live-ball era since 1920, trailing only Vida Blue’s 2.01.

Skenes said about this, “I plan to keep this up for the next 50 starts and then the 50 after that. I believe consistency is key; every day you come to the field to do the same thing. All players demand this from themselves—to stay consistent and keep progressing.”

When asked about Law’s recent remarks, Skenes responded, “That definitely serves as motivation. I have found ways to improve myself, and that drives me to perform on the field and prepare during the offseason. Things will keep getting better. I know I can improve; I just need to find the way.”

Historically, only one pitcher has won the Rookie of the Year award and then the Cy Young the following season—Dwight Gooden of the Mets in 1984-85. Skenes certainly has the potential to be the second, but he admits this is not something he can control.

“First of all, this award is not within my control; it depends on the voters’ decisions. Secondly, if you do your job well and perform, you don’t have to worry about the outcome. Whether I win or not, it’s the same as last year’s Rookie of the Year. That’s how I see it,” Skenes said.