The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing an uphill battle in their quest for a postseason berth, as they entered Thursday's games trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by 5.5 games for the final wild-card spot in the MLB. According to Fangraphs, the Pirates had a mere 1.5% chance of making the playoffs, which highlights the challenges they face as the regular season winds down.
Despite the slim odds of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2015, the Pirates are showing signs of improvement that could potentially save general manager Ben Cherington's job. Under the guidance of manager Don Kelly, the team is striving to finish the season with a winning record, which would mark their first since 2018. Achieving this goal would allow Cherington to argue that progress is being made, especially after enduring six consecutive losing seasons since his hiring in late 2019.
Recent performances have been encouraging for the Pirates. They secured a 5-2 victory against the San Francisco Giants on September 3, marking their fifth series win in a row after a difficult stretch that saw them lose seven consecutive series following the All-Star break. This newfound success is crucial as the team aims to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
In addition to improved results, the Pirates are also benefiting from the return of key players from injury. Oneil Cruz, a power-hitting centerfielder, returned from the injured list on August 18 and has made an immediate impact, boasting a .306 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBIs in just 13 games. Furthermore, rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is expected to rejoin the lineup against the Los Angeles Angels after a finger injury sidelined him since early July. Griffin expressed his eagerness to return, stating, "It'll be fun to finally be back in there competing."
Ryan O’Hearn, another vital contributor to the Pirates' offense with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season, is also on the mend from a quad injury and could soon begin a rehab assignment. With the Pirates currently sitting three games below .500, a strong finish to the season is within reach, especially with the season finale against the Detroit Tigers scheduled for September 27.
The future of Cherington remains uncertain, particularly given the high expectations set by ownership. Team president Travis Williams stated in January, "Our goal is to make the playoffs. Period. Full stop." Failing to meet this objective after years of underperformance could lead to significant consequences for the general manager. However, the unique challenges presented by the current state of baseball, including potential labor disputes and a desire for a salary cap system, complicate matters. The Pirates often compete against teams with vastly larger payrolls, making it difficult to achieve parity.
As the season progresses, the focus will be on the development of key players such as starter Braxton Ashcraft and the return to form of Paul Skenes. Ashcraft, who faced difficulties earlier in the season, has rebounded impressively in August with a 2.13 ERA, helping the Pirates win five of his six starts. Meanwhile, Skenes, the reigning Cy Young winner, has struggled recently, with his ERA rising from 3.10 at the end of June to 3.97 by the end of August. A strong finish from both pitchers could provide the momentum needed for the Pirates and potentially secure Cherington's position for another season.
Leave a Comment