1990s Pirates fan favorite has remarkably high praise for current team

After a 2024 season that saw them finish in the basement of the National League Central (again) and an incredibly underwhelming offseason, even by their standards, there isn't much reason to feel optimistic about the Pittsburgh Pirates' playoff chances in 2025.

Then again, maybe it depends on who you ask. In a recent interview with Jason Mackey on 93.7 The Fan, former Pirates catcher Jason Kendall made it clear that he has exceptionally high expectations for the 2025 team.

“If they are not in a pennant race in September," Kendall said, "I would be very, very surprised."

That's certainly... a take. Remember, the Pirates finished dead last in the NL Central last year with a 76-86 record and, based on this year's PECOTA standings, are actually projected to finish with a slightly worse record in 2025.

1990s Pirates fan favorite Jason Kendall has remarkably high praise for current team

The Pirates failed to address the most fundamental and yet most glaring issue with their roster – a lack of offense – this offseason, and relying on improvement from within feels like an awfully tall order. You would think that Kendall, one of the best hitters in Pirates history, might take that into account with his evaluation of the current team.

However, Kendall's optimism comes from the Pirates' starting pitching staff – Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter, Andrew Heaney and, potentially, top prospect Bubba Chandler. Kendall believes Pittsburgh's starting staff is one of the best in the league, and even says that Skenes is "without a doubt" the best pitcher in baseball right now.

“This staff Pittsburgh has, wow,” Kendall said. “You talk about a staff I would have loved to catch. It’s unbelievable. They are that good, because of the pitching.”

Kendall conveniently leaves out, however, the fact that Pittsburgh's front office has provided Skenes and co. with zero run support. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the Pirates' lack of offense is enough to break them.

The Pirates have a playoff-caliber starting rotation; they do not have a playoff-caliber team.

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