Pirates Series Recap: Can This Get Any Worse?
It was an all-around ugly weekend for the Pirates in Cincinnati as the Reds swept the team. The black and gold had ten hits in the three games, with them topping out at four in the series' first two games. As we know it as the Great American Small Park, the Pirates could only hit two home runs on the weekend. The Bucs struck out 26 times over the three games. Oh, and as Carmen Mlodzinski struggled, giving up four earned runs over 4.1 innings, the pitcher the Pirates traded for Spencer Horwitz, Luis Ortiz, threw 5.2 one-run innings with ten strikeouts.
OK, this isn't good, and I have no idea where to find any positives in this team. Are there any moral victories after getting swept?
Let's see if we can find one.
TOP OF THE ORDER? REALLY?
The Top of the Pirates' order went 5-for-42, with three of those hits coming off the bat of Bryan Reynolds. Derek Shelton had Emanuel Valdez batting leadoff for two games, as he went 0-for-7 with a walk as the table-setter. Shelty finally gave the team's top hitter in terms of average, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the chance to hit leadoff, and he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
Is there a leadoff hitter in this lineup? Among Qualified batters, Kiner-Falefa is batting .260 and is tied for the team lead in hits. He also has the fewest strikeouts out of the six batters that qualify. He is second on the team with four stolen bases. So, what are we talking about, Shelty?! This is our leadoff hitter, whether we like it or not. Let's pencil him in there every day and see what happens.
THIS TEAM COULDN'T HIT ITS WAY OUT OF A TIN CAN
Love it or hate it, the Great American Ballpark is made for a hitter's paradise. That is, unless you are on the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether it was the Reds' pitching or the lack of ability for the Pirates to hit the ball over the fence, the Buccos were able to hit only two out of the park in this series, with known mashers (sarcasm) in Alexander Canario and Adam Frazier reaching the seats.
The Pirates rank 26th out of 29 teams with just ten home runs. The Yankees hit nine home runs IN A GAME! The only team in the senior circuit that has hit fewer home runs than the Pirates is the Colorado Rockies. The Los Angeles Angels trip, trip, tripled the Pirates' total as they have 30 home runs in 13 fewer at-bats and one less game. Pittsburgh also ranks 29th of 30 in hits with 96, just two more than the Chicago White Sox, who haven't won a game yet this month.
STARTERS? MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T.
The Bucco Starters combined for 11 earned runs over 15.1 innings, a 6.55 ERA. While pitching has been a strength for the Pirates, it was far from it this series. Bailey Falter gave up the fewest earned runs (3), but the game was 3-0 before the Pirates could get back to the dugout after the first inning.
The Pirates' staff has given up 130 hits, the eighth most in the league. The staff's WHIP ranks 18th, and the .238 average against ranks No.16.
UP NEXT
Overall, the Pirates are 5-11, last in the Central, and five games back from the Cubs. The team will welcome the Washington Nationals to PNC Park starting today, as Paul Skenes and Brad Lord will open up the series. The Nationals are 6-9, fourth in the East, and four games back of the Mets. In game two, Mitch Keller will take the mound, and Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney will end the series. Former Pirate Trevor Williams is scheduled to take the hill for the Nats on Thursday for the 12:35 first pitch.
