For years, the Pittsburgh Pirates were drowning in mediocrity.
Every season since 2018 has yielded a sub-.500 record.
The team just wasn’t very talented, and the organization didn’t always make the best effort with winning in mind.
Things are starting to change, though.
We are finally starting to see a young, solid core of promising players who could lead the charge starting this year.
Yes, there are a few promising hitters like Oneil Cruz, Nick Gonzales, Henry Davis and others, not to mention the veteran Bryan Reynolds.
However, the team’s strength relies on its pitching staff, particularly in the rotation.
Of course, the MLB debut of Paul Skenes has a lot to do with the recent success, but there is more than just one pitcher to form a quality staff.
In fact, as Codify Baseball points out, only one team in the National League has more quality starts than the Pirates.
“The Philadelphia Phillies are the only National League team with more quality starts this year than the Pittsburgh Pirates,” they tweeted.
The Philadelphia Phillies are the only National League team with more quality starts this year than the Pittsburgh Pirates. pic.twitter.com/hl0PVyrEc9
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 2, 2024
The Bucs actually rank fourth in the category in all MLB.
The Seattle Mariners have 50 to lead the league, and the Phils have 49.
Then we have the Kansas City Royals ranked third with 42 quality starts, and the Pirates are fourth with 40.
For reference, a quality start is when a starting pitcher goes six or more innings while allowing three earned runs or less.
It’s a good way of knowing how many times a pitcher “keeps his team in the game”.
Skenes has seven quality starts, the same number as Bailey Falter.
The Pirates leaders are Mitch Keller and Jared Jones, both with nine.
The overall ERA for the Pirates’ improved staff is a solid 3.98, good for 14th in the league.
The last time they finished higher than 15th was in 2018 (14th, 4.00).
