Pirates Second Half Preview: By The Numbers
Jul 16, 2013; Flushing, NY, USA; National League pitcher Jason Grilli (39) of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the 9th inning in the 2013 All Star Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The first half has been completed, the All-Star Game festivities are over, and the Pirates will get back to the real season on Friday, at seven P.M. Below are a series of interesting statistics and observations from the first half, to begin getting a look at what the Pirates second half may look like.
The Pirates have played ninety-three games to this point in the season, posting a record of 56-37, good for second in the N.L. Central.
The Pirates have a four game lead on the Reds for the first N.L. wild card, and a nine game lead on the Nationals for the second wild card.
They play thirty-one more home games, and thirty-eight games on the road.
The Pirates play a combined twenty-three games against the Reds and Cardinals over the second half.
The Pirates play the Nationals in an important four game set in Washington, which could do a lot to shape the race for the second N.L. wild card.
The Pirates rank number one in all of Major League Baseball in ERA, coming in at a team ERA of 3.07, the next closest is Atlanta, with an ERA of 3.29 as a team.
The Pirates rank twenty-seventh in Major League Baseball in runs scored, with a total of 357 on the season.
The Pirates rank twenty-second in OPS in the Major Leagues.
If the Pirates play .500 baseball the rest of the way, they will go 90-72 on the season, which would put them in a good position to take one of the two wild card spots for the N.L.
If the Pirates play .585 baseball through the end of the season, they’ll post a record of 96-66, one game over Clint Hurdle’s stated preseason goal, and would be in excellent position to win the N.L. Central.
The Pirates have two position players who rank in the top ten in the N.L. in WAR, Andrew McCutchen at number three, and Starling Marte at number ten.
Russell Martin is tied for number one in the N.L. in runners caught stealing this year, he has caught twenty-two runners this year, along with A.J. Ellis of the L.A. Dodgers.