2025 Pittsburgh Pirates

Another series win. Sweet. Should have been a sweep against the struggling Marlins but small steps are a good sign. This could all change in this 4 game series on the road against the Cubbies and then the Tigers, who are both playing lights out this past month. Looks like 2 of the Cubs games are against former Bucs pitchers Charley Morton and Tallion. Hope they can at least break even on this trip.

 

Congrats, I guess, to Cutch passing Clemente on Bucs all time HR list.

 

What's interesting is he has hit 98 HRs while playing for other teams. So the 241 for the Pirate is a bit of a silly stat. Clemente and Stargell never played elsewhere while Kiner and Cutch did.

 

Another 0-0 type game with Skenes as pitcher....

 

He, again, won't get a W today but lowered his ERA to around 1.8 and remain at 4-6. Could be worse for him, his name could be Keller with a 1-9 record. Still scoreless heading to top of 8th with Santana and Bednar still available.

 

OK - Bucs get a W in another............one run game. 1-1 on murderous road trip so far. Bednar has certainly settled down after his demotion. Liking it. He and Santana able to hold down the mighty Cubbies.

 

Bucs get an L in another......one run game. How strange yet predictable.

 

It is so frustrating to follow a team that has a potential championship pitching staff, but a pop-gun offense that dooms them to last place in a weak division.

Such a shame that this teams management refuses to go the extra mile to put a contending team on the field. You know that occasionally even the best pitcher has a dud of a start and the bullpen gets strained, which can affect a team for several days. A contender would have an offense that could step up and ward off a short losing streak until the pitching gets a chance to reset.

Not our Pirates...our big move was acquiring Horwitz, who may be a decent role player in the long run, but is essentially John Jaha at his best, then signing Pham, who couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat, and the endless parade of middle infielders who can neither field or hit. Kiner-Falefa is not an everyday SS, despite being played there, and offers little punch to an offense that desperately needs some. Hayes is a lightweight with the bat. The only threats in the line-up are Cruz and Reynolds. Davis and Gonzales are struggling to establish themselves as long term everyday players.

All in all, the future remains bleak in Pirateland.