The Pirates are the most confusing team in baseball
Image Courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Pirates are still in a rebuilding phase and have been since the late 90s, except for 2013-15 when they qualified for the postseason in three consecutive years. Those days seem like a long time ago for Pirates fans, even longer for ones who were around in the late 90s, and a lifetime ago for Pirates fans who were alive for the teams in the 70s.
Today’s Pirates have a long way to go before they are considered World Series contenders, or even playoff contenders for that matter. The young Bucs have shown some signs that the future is here and that they can play (and win) with the big dogs, the Dodgers, and Yankees of the league.
However, the Pirates have some flaws that seem to be a continuing trend that has and will continue to hurt them down the stretch. They seem to not perform well against teams that are no better than them, or in some cases worse, not to mention the poor records within their division.
The Pirates began June with a victory to secure a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who carry the second-best record in the National League. This was the Pirates' first sweep of the Dodgers since 2015 and their first at Dodger Stadium since 2000.
The Pirates also took two of three games from the Dodgers in Pittsburgh earlier in May. But one series win over the best team in the league doesn’t justify them losing to the Cincinnati Reds, who had a league-worst 3-22 record at one point. At times, the Pirates will show their potential in big moments, much like their series at Dodger Stadium in front of 50,000 people, but not at Great American Ballpark in front of 10,000 people.
The Pirates recently won three of four series against NL West teams, taking eight of 12 games in that span. However, against their N.L. Central foes, they have a record of just 9-19, including a 1-12 record against the Brewers and Cardinals, the teams in front of them in the division.
Now, I understand that the Pirates will play teams in their division more than non-division opponents, but the NL West is a lot more competitive than the NL Central. Additionally, after their impressive couple of series against the NL West, the Pirates lost consecutive games against a Tigers team that is improving like themselves but isn’t a playoff-caliber team.
However, in the end, what is going to be more important, division games or non-division games? If the Pirates want to become less confusing and make the NL Wild Card race interesting, then they need to start winning the games against the better teams in their division.
Now realistically, the Pirates' chances of making the postseason are about the same as seeing snow in July. But if the Pirates win key division games and games against quality non-division opponents such as the Mets, Braves, and Giants, they could raise a few arm hairs later on down the road… but only if things go right.
