The Pittsburgh Pirates are already mathematically eliminated from 2026 MLB postseason contention despite their 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. After all, the best record they can finish with this season is 84-78, and the Philadelphia Phillies, the team currently sitting in third place in the NL Wild Card race, have already won 87 games this year.

Nonetheless, finishing with a record above .500 has to be a win in and of itself for the Pirates. In the 21st century, the Pirates have only finished with a winning record thrice prior to 2026, and that was during their purple patch from 2013 to 2015.

However, for ace Paul Skenes, who hasn't had the best of campaigns in 2026, missing out on the postseason is wearing thin, especially from a mental standpoint.

“It's tough. This is my third year and every year at the end, it's, ‘What's it going to look like for next year?' I don't love that. I'm kind of tired of it,” Skenes said, per Ashley Wenskoski of Pittsburgh Sports Tonight.

"It's tough. This is my third year and every year at the end, it's 'what's it going to look like for next year?' I don't love that. I'm kind of tired of it."

Paul Skenes on the Pirates missing the playoffs again:

"We are in a good position for next year. But it's going to be… pic.twitter.com/plGeV8UjRh

— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) September 24, 2026

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There is indeed plenty of uncertainty moving forward as to how the Pirates can take that leap into playoff contention. Compounding matters for Skenes is that he has struggled mightily in 2026 relative to his elite standards.

While he was more than solid on Thursday in what should be his final start of 2026, allowing just one run in 6.1 innings of work while striking out eight against three hits and two walks, Skenes has to be raring to get a few ticks back on his four-seam fastball that lost over a mile per hour in average velocity this year.

Still, Skenes knows that the Pirates are at least knocking on the door, and perhaps with an offseason's worth of rest, he will be able to overcome the mental drain that comes with having to watch from the couch yet again this October.

“We are in a good position for next year. But it's going to be tough to think like that all offseason…I don't think there's anything that needs to be completely overhauled,” Skenes added.