Pirates Series Takeaways: Statement Made vs. First-Place Brewers Before Break
PITTSBURGH — As if facing the first-place Brewers wasn’t challenging enough, the Pirates entered their final series before the All-Star Break without some major starpower.
The Pirates have been operating without center fielder Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz, but they were also without starting shortstop Konnor Griffin and emerging catcher Endy Rodríguez. Griffin, who was placed on the 10-day injured list at the start of the homestand, was transferred to the 60-day IL on Saturday. Rodríguez was placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday.
It didn’t matter. The Pirates won a pair of one-run games in a doubleheader on Saturday and blew out the Brewers in the series finale on Sunday afternoon for the sweep.
“I think it says a lot about our team. Obviously, the Brewers are a good team,” Ryan O’Hearn said after Sunday’s win. “I believe in this team. Today was really fun, fun series for us to kind of make a statement going into the All-Star break.”
It was a needed total effort for the Pirates against one of the best teams in baseball, especially with the aforementioned injury losses.
“We are in a good spot, kind of wish we didn’t have an All-Star Break at this point because we are playing good baseball,” Sunday’s starter Paul Skenes said.
The offense, as it has been all season, was great. Combined between the three games, the Pirates scored a total of 24 runs, 14 of which came in the series finale, with 10 in one inning. The Pirates will enter the break tied with the Nationals for the most runs scored this season with 516, only 67 fewer than their total from last year.
Esmerlyn Valdez was the hero on Saturday. The start rookie combined for three home runs and eight RBIs between the two games, including a pivotal go-ahead grand slam in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s electric. They call him The Magician for a reason,” Braxton Ashcraft said after the first game Saturday.
On Sunday, everybody contributed, with the bottom of the order in particular coming up big. All nine Pirates in the starting lineup had at least one hit and at least one run scored in the win, while eight of the nine drove in at least one run. The 7-8-9 spots of the lineup consisting of Marcell Ozuna, Jared Triolo and Henry Davis combined to go 7 for 14 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBIs and six runs scored.
“I just think it’s quality up and down the lineup. There’s good hitters 7-9. You don’t see that on a lot of teams,” said O’Hearn. “Also, the depth — we’ve got four guys who are regulars who are hurt right now. Just speaks to the depth, guys getting a chance and taking advantage of it. It’s pretty cool.”
While the offense was advertised, the bullpen was really the unsung hero of the weekend. Between the two games on Saturday, seven relievers combined to allow one run across 8.1 innings. Rookie right-hander Antwone Kelly allowed three runs in two innings, but Isaac Mattson and Brandon Eisert combined for 1.2-scoreless innings.
While the Pirates gained three games on the division-leading Brewers, they’re still 9.5 games out of first place. But Pittsburgh is in the thick of the wild card race and enter the break with momentum after their best series of the season.
For the first time since 2016, the 50-47 Pirates are above .500 at the break. They’re a ways away from approaching the top of the division, but they’re right in the thick of the wild card race. And you don’t have to squint too hard to see a team capable of pushing for a playoff spot.
“It’s going to be a fun second half to be a Pittsburgh Pirate,” said O’Hearn.
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Keep that outfield intact. When Cruz is ready have him be the DH. Mangum deserves to be in CF. He’s steady in the field, provides speed and can hit.