The Pirates are Something Special

The Pirates aren’t that team that chokes anymore. In fact, they have some of the best talent in the MLB in both pitching and hitting. Would you believe me if I told you that they are the best team in baseball? They might not win the World Series, or even the pennant, but they have a team that not only is incredible this year, but can be scary to watch in the upcoming years. It may not seem like it because they have only one starter that bats over .300. It’s the pitching that has made them successful.

If I asked you three years ago if you knew who Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Pedro Alvarez, Jeff Locke, and Gerrit Cole were, you would probably only know who McCutchen was. Everyone else except for Alvarez were not even in the league three years ago. They are the future of this team.

 

McCutchen and Marte dominate the outfield. McCutchen, who batted .327/.400/.553 with a gold glove last year, is doing just as well this year. His offensive stats have lowered, batting .301/.371/.494 now, but his defense has been even better, having a 1.3 dWAR compared to a -.2 last year. 

Marte is also a very good defender. He bats .277/.333/.441 with 31 steals offensively, but has a 1.6 dWAR to top a 4.3 overall WAR. He’s also only 24 years old, and keeps getting better and better. He needs to walk more and strikeout less, but that can improve. He also has shown signs of immense power, even though he only has 10 home runs. There was talk of the Pirates acquiring an OF at the trade deadline, including Alex Rios or Giancarlo Stanton. If they got Stanton, that would be a scary lineup.

Pedro Alvarez has lots of power. Though batting only .242/.304/.494, he has 87 hits, 27 home runs and 70 RBI’s. Last year he hit 30 home runs on 128 hits, so you can see some improvement in his power and contact. Jeff Locke is Cy Young eligible, having a 9-3 record and a 2.36 ERA. Gerrit Cole, the number one draft pick in 2011, is showing some signs of a talented professional. He is 5-4 with a 3.56 ERA. 

The Pirates have young talent, but they also have players that some considered wash-ups, but are now all-stars or just really good. My favorite to watch is Francisco Liriano. Liriano, who had six of nine seasons with an ERA over 5, now is 11-4 with a 2.16 ERA this year. Lately, he has been untouchable against teams. Others include Jason Grilli, the 36 year old who has a 2.34 ERA and 30 saves, or Mark Melancon, who has 26 holds and a .88 ERA. 

The Pirates have the best ERA in the MLB at 3.03, which is absolutely incredible. Baseball’s average is 3.89, and the Reds are second best with a 3.30 ERA. They also have a .226 BAA, the best in the MLB as well. They have a strong starting rotation, as well as a dominant relief core. Their hitting is underrated, but still could use some more, and I wish they took advantage of some guys in the trade deadline.

They remind me of the 2003 Cubs, who had a dominant pitching roster in Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Let's just hope that if they get to the NLCS, they don't choke in Game 6.

Why mention them now? Two reasons. First off, the Pirates usually choke at this point. It’s been two years in a row where they’ve had a record over .500 going into the all-star break, but finished under .500. They have not had a winning season in twenty years. Don’t worry Pirates fans, this is the year!

Also, this week they have had a five-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals. They have won the first four games against the Cards in dramatic fashion, and look to complete the sweep tonight to win five in a row. The Cardinals have lost seven in a row, and hopefully won’t make it eight. They now have the best record in baseball at 65-42, and also are the only team with a win percentage over .600.

This team is something special. Thank manager Clint Hurdle and the rest of the organization for that. They have done an amazing job, and I can’t wait to see them in October.

Mike Trout didn't get a hit, so I'm back to zero in Beat the Streak. Let's hope that he redeems himself, as I have Trout again, and Freddie Freeman as well. Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com with any questions/comments/concerns.

-Evan Boyd