We’re closing in on the half way point of the season and the Pirates are not only a game above .500, but they’re also just four games back of the first place Brewers and one game back of the second place Cardinals. Those are some good teams and so far, the Pirates have played with them for half of a season.
They’ve really gotten it done on the mound. Their 3.48 ERA is close to the middle, but it’s the best in the division. They’ve done it despite a second worst slugging percentage. Throw in some timely hits and it makes for one of those seasons where things just click.
This team doesn’t have the power arms either so you wonder how long this is going to last. James McDonald leads the team with 67 and Jeff Karstens has been one of the better arms and he has just 53. In fact they’re dead last in the NL in strikeouts and middle of the road in walks.
Andrew McCutchen continues to have a solid season. He leads the team in batting average and home runs but he trails Neil Walker in RBIs. Of course none of those guys are on pace for even 25 home runs so it’s nothing to write home about.
Next up are the Blue Jays. Hopefully we can take advantage of them not getting a break because they had to make up a game against the Tigers today.
