Pittsburgh Pirates: Is the Ship Sinking?
I’ve been one of the biggest non-Pirate fan proponents of the 2012 Pirates finally reaching .500, but that goal is getting more worrisome lately.
With a 9-15 August in the books so far, the Buccos dropped their overall record to 68-59 and faded even farther back in the National League Central standings.
A playoff spot is questionable, and if they miss, Andrew McCutchen might miss on the MVP too.
Would it be enough for Pirates fans to just see their team finally win 81 games?
Or is the more lofty, postseason aspiration still dancing in their minds?
You tell us, Pirates fans – will you settle for achieving that .500 record in 2012? Comment below!
If so, the Pirates better right the ship, and quick. It’s not that they have been just losing. They have been getting dominated on both sides of the ball. They have been torched by the Padres, and beaten by the Astros and Cubs.
Pittsburgh starts a huge series with St. Louis today. Cy Young candidates A.J. Burnett and Kyle Lohse will take the bump. And sure enough, the Pirates’ most solid August performance came in Busch Stadium a couple of weekends ago, when they stole two out of three from the rival Cards.
But, what previously looked like a walk-in-the-park September (aside from two series against the Reds), now looks like a potentially .500 or worse month if they continue to stumble.
And speaking of that number…a .500 overall record could be in danger. Call me Captain Obvious but the pitchers need to pitch better, the hitters need to hit better, and this team must avoid being the spoilees against teams like Houston, Chicago and San Diego.
Otherwise, the ticker might stop on “80,” a number that would be devastating to see, regardless if you’re a fan of the team or not.
The Pirates have been the darlings of the National League this year. And I can only hope they will break the curse – bonus points if they snag a Wild Card. To reach that .500 mark for the first time since 1992, they need to go at least 13-22 the rest of the way.
I know it’s settling, but 81 wins would be a truly joyous occasion for the tortured fan base at PNC Park. Will they get there?
Vote below: Will the Pirates make the playoffs? Will they even make it to .500?
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-Jeremy Dorn (@Jamblinman)
Three Up, Three Down 
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