Like Max Fried, Paul Skenes falls victim to analytics

On April 29 of this MLB season, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried pitched a no-hitter in to six innings versus the Seattle Mariners and was pulled after throwing 100 pitches. The Braves lost that game to the Mariners 2-1. Fried acknowledged that this may have been the smart thing to do, especially that early in the season, and that is definitely the best "big picture" reaction.

On Wednesday night, Pittsburgh Pirates Phenom rookie Paul Skenes threw seven no-hit innings, struck out eleven, and was pulled after throwing ninety-nine pitches. At some point this has to stop. Had this been in a playoff game, which the Pirates are still alive for, I highly doubt that Skenes leaves this game, which they did end up winning 1-0. What happens if the Pirates do need Skenes to go beyond 100 pitches in a playoff game, but he has only been allowed to pitch in to the 90s? That, to me, seems likke the easier way to get someone hurt. The Washington Nationals completely shut Steven Strasburgh down early in his career to prevent him from having to bear a big load, and he still ended up with a shortened career due to injury. I'm not saying that these young pitchers be allowed to go throw 150 pitches every time out, but when something as special as a no-hitter comes along, you have to let them stretch it to 125. Aren't these moments what bring more fans to the game?