Wind In the Sails
It’s almost been a decade since the Pittsburgh Pirates have made the post season, and they only got to play in the one game playoff (remember that?) before being eliminated. Since then, it has been a tough rebuild with only one winning season, two 100 loss seasons, and zero postseason appearances. In that time frame the team also traded away star players such as Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, receiving prospects that didn't pan out well. This has led to discontent from fans and criticism of ownership and management.
However, at long last, excitement is brewing in Pittsburgh once more. Despite the early struggles and inconsistencies, the Pirates are only one and a half games out of a wildcard spot nearly halfway through the season with a chance to make some noise with their young roster built around their homegrown pieces. The biggest buzz is around top draft pick and flame throwing pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes has been nothing short of dominant since his major league debut on May 11th, posting a 2.14 ERA and a masterful .993 WHIP, striking out 61 batters in just 46.1 innings of work. The rookie’s pitch mix of a 100 MPH combined with a devastating slider and an off-speed pitch known as the “splinker” has helped him rise to be the ace of a dark horse playoff team. The highest regarded pitching prospect in over a decade has injected excitement and hope into a team that has struggled to find its footing this season through injuries and slumps to their lineup. Since his debut, the team has posted a respectable 20-18 record putting them back into the hunt for a wildcard spot. He hasn't been the only bright spot though, as fellow rookie Jared Jones has been a revelation for Pittsburgh, recording a 3.66 ERA and also sporting a triple digit fastball. Veteran Pirate Mitch Keller has also turned a corner. After signing a five-year 77 million dollar extension, he has put together the strongest season of his career- the 28 year old has 3.11 ERA and has helped give length to a Pittsburgh rotation that has needed it.
The starting pitching has been great, but it’s the lineup and bullpen that have struggled to be consistent all year. Closer David Bednar has struggled and been put on the injured list, Aroldis Chapman has been either dominant or wild, and the rest of the arms have been hot and cold. This has lead to Pittsburgh posting the 4th worst bullpen ERA in all of baseball at a 4.71 mark. If this team wants to make the playoffs, this is probably their biggest hurdle. The offense, unfortunately, has been poor as well, being tied for the 5th worst runs scored with players such as Ke’Bryan Hayes and O’Neil Cruz taking steps back from last year. But if the Pirates can get them going to support star outfielder Bryan Reynolds and breakout infielder Nick Gonzales, they might only need one bat at the trade deadline to make this lineup great.
I believe with the three headed monster at the front of the rotation and an elite closer, this Pirates team has a chance to not only play spoiler this year, but make the playoffs as well. And if this team makes the playoffs, they have a chance to be like the Arizona Diamondbacks and make some some noise in the postseason.
By Jackson Westfall