Now it’s starting to get serious. It’s easy to laugh off a longtime loser in April, May and even June. But we’re past the All-Star break now, and the Pittsburgh Pirates entered play Wednesday in first place in the National League Central at 51-44.
Their lead was a tenuous half-game, and a postseason berth still seems a decided long shot with the Reds, Brewers and Cardinals in pursuit. But it’s a welcome change in the Steel City, where the NHL’s Penguins and NFL’s Steelers have combined to win three titles since the Pirates last posted a winning season. That was way back in 1992 — another championship year for the Penguins and the last time the Pirates led their division this late in a season — and it has been nothing but misery since. Even breaking that 18-year losing skid would be a huge deal for a young club.
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But can they hold on for more than that? Seems unlikely. Pittsburgh’s offense entered Wednesday at 24th in the league with a .676 OPS, worse even than the Nationals. The starting pitching has been excellent with a combined 3.51 ERA, ninth overall. But the Pirates’ top four starters — Jeff Karstens (2.34 ERA), Paul Maholm (3.06), Charlie Morton (3.62) and Kevin Correia (4.04) — are all between 27 and 30, and each has a checkered past at best. Their chances of finishing strong aren’t great.
A strong effort from the bullpen (3.12 ERA, sixth overall) is sustainable, though. If the Pirates can add a bat for cheap before the trade deadline, they could make up for their starters’ inevitable regression. Pittsburgh as a buyer? For this year, at least, believe it.
