A three game sweep of the Minnesota Twins signals a wrap on the first two full calendar months of the MLB season, and Pittsburgh Pirates’ fans find themselves in a familiar situation… near last place in the NL Central standings.
Pirates’ fans also find themselves in an unfamiliar situation, four games above .500 & looking very competitive on the field.
How did we get here?
Only four other teams in the National League besides NL Central teams have a better record than the Bucs. For that matter only four total teams in the AL have a better record.
This indicates that the teams making up the NL Central plus the eight other teams with a better record are beating up on the rest of the league.
Pitching, thought to be a strength for the black and gold, has underwhelmed to a point with the team ERA hovering around average for all of MLB at 3.92. Even ace Paul Skenes has an elevated ERA at 2.89.
The Pirates’ staff stands up in most other stats except Base on Balls. Control is often an issue with high Strike Out staffs, but a reduction in free bases would go a long way toward climbing the standings.
The off season additions on the offensive side of the ball have stood up for the most part with the exception being Marcel Ozuna who should be on the trade block or possibly even outright released after struggling to a sub .200 Batting Average.
Despite the failings of the aging vet, the Pirates have 4th highest team Batting Average in all of Major League Baseball, as well as the 2nd most hits.
And these Bucs run. The team boasts the 4th highest Stolen Base total.
Oneil Cruz seems to finally be finding the long awaited groove, and Rookie Konnor Griffin is shaking things up for opponents whether in the batter’s box or on the base paths.
Newcomers Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Jake Mangum have all been staunch contributors as well.
The competition in the NL Central will continue to be a challenge.
Chicago started out on fire, but have settled somewhat, and St Louis and Cincinnati have been as streaky as the Pirates. The Milwaukee Brewers, despite the fact that they talk as if they consider themselves underdogs are certainly looking to be the team to beat in this division.
Looking ahead, the Bucs open June on the 2nd traveling to Houston to face an Astros team that has disappointed, though have been on a bit of an upswing as late.
They’ll also travel to Atlanta to take on the best team in baseball according to W-L record, before hosting the Dodgers with MLB’s second best record.
The Pirates will also host Miami, Seattle, and the Reds, and will travel to Vegas and Colorado, while finishing up the month with the second of a three game series in Philly.
Current record on May 31st is 32-28.
Gang Grit Sports Crystal Ball Prediction sees the Pirates ending June with a record of 46-40.