With a slim 3-2 lead and Paul Skenes on the mound, Don Kelly made a decision that some believe sank the Pittsburgh Pirates' playoff hopes. It's also one the Pirates' manager had to answer for immediately following Pittsburgh's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. 

Don Kelly controversially pulled Paul Skenes after only 82 pitches thrown  

Kelly pulled Paul Skenes after only 82 pitches thrown in seven innings of work. At that point, Skenes allowed two runs off four hits and recorded four strikeouts with only one walk. 

However, Kelly turned to the bullpen, namely Gregory Soto, who then gave up two runs himself as the Cubs came back and won the game. 

With the loss, the second straight to the Cubs after falling 12-2 on Friday night, the now 74-75 Pirates sit 6.5 games back of the San Diego Padres for the final National League wild-card spot. 

Pirates fans and media are criticizing Kelly 

And while hearing backlash from fans and facing criticism from the media, Kelly defended himself and explained his rational in removing Skenes, who hadn't reached the seventh inning since July 19th prior to Saturday, from the game.

"He hasn't gone eight innings since 'I don't even know, middle of May?' and only went seven innings one time in the second half. So to give us seven innings at 82 pitches. He hasn't been over 93 pitches and has been dealing with some stuff in this second half. He gave us everything he had today," Kelly said.

Kelly is right about Skenes rarely going into the seventh inning this season

In Kelly's defense, maybe he knows something the angry mob doesn't know about Skenes' health during the stretch run. And in addition to that, he's right about Skenes rarely going deep into games this season. 

The counter to that argument is that the pitch count matters more than the innings logged. If the number of pitches is low, the pitcher's arm shouldn't be taxed even if he's churned through innings. 

Instead of setting a career-high in wins in a season, Skenes just earned a no decision as he's 10-11 with a 3.78 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 30 starts and 162.0 innings in 2026. 

Pittsburgh's bullpen has cost the team numerous games 

The Pirates bullpen has also been the biggest weakness of the team throughout most of the season and has turned possible wins into losses enough to legitimize those who would've rather seen Skenes stay out there a bit longer. 

Still confident in Soto, Kelly added that his struggles in relief, despite striking out a pair of batters, were due to not being able to "find the zone" enough. 

But Kelly can sympathize with fans in admitting "that one hurts" about blowing a late lead and the series to the Cubs.