Riley Wheaton has gone through hospital stays, chemotherapy, and a lot of adversity, but on Tuesday, he got to live life in the big leagues.

Unfortunately for two-time All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes, he’s likely stuck with the Pittsburgh Pirates even if he wanted a trade ahead of the July 31 deadline.

The Pirates have been polarized since the All-Star break and achieved something not seen in baseball since 1980.

The Chicago Cubs—who spent most of the 2025 season’s first half atop the NL Central—have gone 5-5 in their last ten games, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers to climb into first place, while sending North Side fans into their traditional mid-summer tizzy. And pitching is the main culprit.

It looks like the National League Cy Young race is down to two horses: the Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes.

Debate is already swirling about when the Pittsburgh Pirates will trade superstar pitcher Paul Skenes less than two years into his career.