There’s no denying that Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has been one of the biggest stories of the 2024 MLB season. Skenes, who was the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, opened at 13-1 odds to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. However, the righty is now 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings of work. His brilliance on the hill is the reason he’s set to start for the NL All-Star Team in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, and his dominance over 11 starts now has him at -1000 to win the NL Rookie of the Year award. Skenes is also just +500 to win the NL Cy Young Award, placing him right behind Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler. Skenes opened at 200-1 in that market.
Skenes is simply taking the MLB by storm and there’s a lot of intrigue surrounding the 22-year-old. That won’t be any different heading into the All-Star Game, where a lot of bettors will be looking for ways to back Skenes. Well, keep reading if you’re looking for some ways to throw a little timber on Pittsburgh’s ace.
Top MLB Resources:
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have!
Paul Skenes Velocity of First Pitch
Over 101 MPH (+400)
100.1-101 MPH (+290)
99.0-100.0 MPH (+370)
Under 99.0 MPH (-104)
If you’re trying to get really nuts, you can bet on the speed of Skenes’ first pitch. The rookie has an average fastball velocity of 99.1 MPH this year, and he throws a four-seamer on 38.0% of his pitches. So, if you’re thinking he’s going to throw a heater, you might want to grab one of the plus-money options. He’ll have a little extra adrenaline, so he could light up the gun.
Paul Skenes Strikeouts Thrown
Skenes To Record 1+ Strikeouts (-350)
Skenes To Record 2+ Strikeouts (+150)
Skenes To Record 3+ Strikeouts (+650)
Skenes is only going to pitch one inning in this game. That’s the norm for all starting pitchers in the All-Star Game these days, and I just don’t see that changing with a player who is being monitored carefully by the Pirates. With that in mind, don’t bet this thinking that Skenes will be facing more than three or four hitters. However, Skenes is averaging 1.35 strikeouts per inning, so grabbing the plus-money odds on 2+ strikeouts isn’t the worst idea in the world.
A Run in the Bottom of the 1st?
Yes (+235)
No (-320)
Five of the last six MLB All-Star Games have featured no runs scored in the first inning. However, it is worth noting that Skenes has allowed a first-inning run in three of his 11 starts this season. So, it’s not crazy to think that he could run into a little trouble here. After all, the first three batters he’s slated to face are Steven Kwan, Gunnar Henderson and Juan Soto. And if any of them get on base, Aaron Judge is batting cleanup and Yordan Alvarez will be up right after him.
A Hit in the Bottom of the 1st?
Yes (-130)
No (-110)
Considering Skenes will be going up against Kwan, Henderson and Soto, there’s some real risk in hoping the rookie avoids giving up a hit in the opening inning. Kwan is batting .352 this season, so he’s always a threat to get a hit. And Henderson and Soto are simply two of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. However, this will be more like a relief appearance than a normal start for Skenes, so he’ll amped up and throwing everything he has into getting these three outs.
Paul Skenes To Win MLB All-Star Game MVP
Skenes To Win MLB All-Star Game MVP (20-1)
The last pitcher to win MVP of the MLB All-Star Game was Shane Bieber in 2019. In that game, Bieber struck out the side in his lone inning on the hill. However, the righty wasn’t the only pitcher to do that in the game. He was probably just aided by the fact that the game was played in Cleveland. Skenes won’t have that same luxury, but he is one of the most hyped players in baseball. So, if he does go out and impress in his short stint on the bump, it’s not impossible that he’ll get a lot of love from the voters — a group made up of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, the announcers from the broadcast and, to a lesser extent, an online fan ballot.
