Pirate's Oneil Cruz (Image: Pirates)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have the third-worst record in baseball this season and are in last place in the NL Central.
Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season with a 76-86 record, placing last in the NL Central. The Pirates had a quiet offseason and didn’t make any drastic moves to improve the roster.
The Pirates traded for first baseman Spencer Horwitz and utility player Enmanuel Valdez. Pittsburgh re-signed designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, and signed relief pitchers Caleb Ferguson and Tim Mayza, outfielder Tommy Pham, and utility player Adam Frazier.
All of the deals Pittsburgh made were one-year deals under $5.25 million.
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Through the first 38 games of the season, the Pirates were 12-26, which resulted in the firing of manager Derek Shelton.
Pittsburgh’s offense is led by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. Overall, Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled during its 2025 campaign.
The Pirates have the fewest home runs this season, and their slugging percentage is also the lowest in baseball. Pittsburgh is in the bottom five for batting average, strikeouts, and runs, and it’s in the bottom 10 for on-base percentage and hits.
NL Cy Young favorite Paul Skenes leads the Pirates’ pitching. Skenes has an ERA of 2.12, and his walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) is 0.91.
His record is only 4-7 because the team struggles to provide run support. On May 18, Skenes pitched a complete game against the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out nine batters, but the Pirates lost the game 1-0.
Outside of Skenes, Pittsburgh’s pitching has been inconsistent.
Pittsburgh ranks in the top five for home runs allowed and strikeouts, and it’s in the top 10 for WHIP. The Pirates are in the middle of the league for ERA, but are in the bottom 10 for hits allowed.
Many media members have suggested that the Pirates should trade Skenes because his talent warrants a roster that can win. However, Pittsburgh’s general manager, Ben Cherington, said that the organization has no intention of moving on from Skenes.
If the Pirates were to move on from Skenes, they could expect a king’s ransom in return, given Skenes is only 23 years old and has over four years of team control remaining.
The Pirates have long-shot odds to make the postseason. Pittsburgh’s odds of making the postseason are +4000, its odds of making the World Series are +20000, and its odds of winning the World Series are +50000.
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