San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb should thank Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. 

Just to be clear, Skenes didn't do something nice for Webb. He just turned in another dud in Pittsburgh's home game against San Francisco on Tuesday night. That clunker will shift the focus to him rather than Webb, whose play has also nosedived this season. 

Logan Webb, Paul Skenes flop in matchup that would've once been a pitchers' duel 

In the 13-12 Pirates win, Webb allowed nine hits, nine runs (all earned) and recorded two walks and one strikeout. He threw 37 strikes on 65 pitches. 

Skenes' night doesn't look that bad now. He allowed eight hits, five runs (all earned) and logged three walks and four strikeouts. He threw 56 strikes on 95 pitches. 

Skenes' poor performance will be one of the main storylines after this game, and understandably so. The 24-year-old set such a high bar during his first two seasons in the majors that his sudden decline has come as a major shock. 

The 2025 National League Cy Young winner entered Tuesday night with a career-worst 3.97 ERA. He posted a 1.96 ERA in 2024 and a major league-leading 1.97 in 2025. 

Three-time All-Star Webb, however, has been just as disappointing, if not worse, than Skenes. Entering Tuesday night, the 29-year-old pitcher had a 4.21 ERA, the third-worst mark in his eight-year career. 

Skenes' dip was more unexpected after he dominated baseball in his first two seasons, and it's a key reason the Pirates (68-71), who haven't made the playoffs since 2015, will miss them again this season. But the Giants (57-82) aren't going to sniff the postseason, either. Webb's woes have certainly contributed to the lousy season. 

So, let's not let Webb off the hook. He deserves to be scrutinized, just like Skenes.