A modern ace in 2025 is defined by dominance in shorter outings, not by full games or win totals. Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal illustrate a new template: high strikeout rates, strong ERA+ and WAR, and 170–180 innings, with wins no longer the primary metric. The piece traces a 50-year arc from 1975 to today, arguing value comes from efficiency, multi-pitch arsenals, and consistent high-leverage performance.

Across eras, aces evolved from 20-win behemoths to strikeout-heavy, control-focused leaders. The article weighs Skenes against 1970s–2010s exemplars, concluding that 2025’s great seasons are validated by WAR, ERA+, and the ability to shut down lineups in short stints rather than piling up innings.

Dodgers bullpen collapse costs them a 9-6 defeat to the Phillies after a sharp start from their rotation and a big late surge by Philadelphia. Ohtani carried the offense early and joined a select club with 50 homers in consecutive seasons, while the Dodgers briefly tied it before a six-run sixth swung the momentum to Philly. The comeback featured Harper’s hustle, Marsh’s key homer, and a late rally that extended LA’s home skid to five against the Phillies.

With Snell lined up to finish the series against Luzardo, LA looks foranswers as the Padres pace- chase tightens in the division. This game underscored the volatility of bullpen games and the big-picture arc of Ohtani’s power, delivering a fantasy-friendly jumble of power, control, and late-inning leverage for the rest of the season.