Pirates Power Rankings: Same Old Buccos?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have continued their nose dive following a 9-2 start to the season, currently sitting a half game out of last place in the National League Central at 14-15.

Here’s a look at what this week’s power rankings have to say about the battling Buccos. While they managed to force a series split against the division leading Brewers to start last week, it’s been more than three weeks since they’ve won a series.

When Pittsburgh’s slump began, some national media outlets cut the club slack in their power rankings, holding out hope that they’d manage to weather the storm intact. As time continues to pass, though, more and more pundits sour on the Pirates, with the realization that they might just be the same old Buccos settling in. Here’s where the Pirates stand in some of the rankings as another week of baseball begins.

• The Pirates held firm at No. 20 in MLB.com’s power rankings, with correspondent Will Leitch saying that if they aren’t back above .500 after a week of games against the pitiful A’s and Rockies, it’s officially time to sound the alarm.
• CBS Sports dropped them down to No. 23, the worst of any team in the NL Central, pointing out how long ago their 9-2 start feels like now.
• Bleacher Report continued to compliment Jared Jones for his red hot start to the year, but that didn’t stop them from demoting the Pirates four spots to No. 21.
• USA Today gave the same appraisal as Bleacher Report, minus the compliments to Jared Jones. Sitting at No. 21, the outlet noted Pittsburgh’s 5-13 slide over the past three weeks.
• FOX Sports, which only ranks the top ten clubs, did not deem the Pirates fit for the upper third of Major League Baseball.